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LCROSS Video Transcript

Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS)

The Mission Objectives of the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) include confirming the presence or absence of water ice in a permanently shadowed crater at the Moon’s South Pole. The identification of water is very important to the future of human activities on the Moon. LCROSS will excavate the permanently dark floor of one of the Moon’s polar craters with two heavy impactors early in 2009 to test the theory that ancient ice lies buried there. The impact will eject material from the crater’s surface to create a plume that specialized instruments will be able to analyze for the presence of water (ice and vapor), hydrocarbons and hydrated materials.

LCROSS will also provide technologies and modular, reconfigurable subsystems that can be used to support future mission architectures.

Ames Research Center (ARC) will oversee the development of the LCROSS mission with its spacecraft and integration partner Northrop-Grumman. This is a fast-paced, low-cost, mission that will leverage some existing NASA systems, Northrop-Grumman spacecraft expertise, and Ames’ Lunar Prospector experience. Ames will be managing the mission, performing mission operations, and is developing the payload instruments, while Northrop Grumman will be designing and building the spacecraft for this innovative mission.

Scheduled for launch in 2008, LCROSS will travel to the Moon as a co-manifested payload aboard the launch vehicle for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). LRO is designed to map the lunar surface and characterize landing sites for future missions.


As of June 5, 2008, there is a new and updated LCROSS Fact Sheet. Download the new LCROSS Fact Sheet.


Learn more about the mission through the LCROSS Frequently Asked Questions, answered by LCROSS Principal Investigator, Tony Colaprete.


LCROSS now has a Twitter account!
Keep up with LCROSS wherever you go!
http://www.twitter.com/LCROSS_NASA

 

Why LCROSS?

LCROSS spacecraft above the Moon's surface

Just like on Earth, water is a crucial resource on the Moon. It will not be practical to transport to space the amount of water needed for human and exploration needs. It is critical to find natural resources, such as water, on the Moon. The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission will begin the search for water, leveraging the information we learned from the Clementine and Lunar Prospector missions.

By going to the Moon for extended periods of time before other bodies in our solar system, astronauts will search for resources and learn how to work safely in a harsh environment—stepping stones to future exploration. The Moon also offers many clues about the time when the planets were formed.

“Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked why did he want to climb it. He said, ’Because it was there.’

Well, space is there, and we’re going to climb it, and the Moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there.”

President John F. Kennedy
Address at the Rice University on the Space Effort
September 12, 1962


“Mankind is drawn to the heavens for the same reason we were once drawn into unknown lands and across the open sea. We choose to explore space because doing so improves our lives, and lifts our national spirit.”

President George W. Bush
January 14, 2004



Moon Trivia

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Editor: Brian Day
NASA Official: Daniel Andrews
Last Updated: June 2008