Lunar Precursor Robotic Program

The Lunar Precursor Robotic Program (LPRP) is a NASA program that uses robotic spacecraft to prepare for future crewed missions to the Moon. The program gathers data such as lunar radiation, surface imaging, areas of scientific interest, temperature and lighting conditions, and potential resource identification. ^[1]^[2]

Two LPRP missions, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS), were launched in June 2009.^[3] The lift-off above Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on June 18, 2009, was successful. The uncrewed Atlas V rocket launched the two space probes towards the Moon, where they will provide a 3D map and search for water in conjunction with the Hubble Space Telescope,^[4]^[5] launching on June 17, 2009.

This lunar program marked the first United States mission to the Moon in over ten years.^[6] Neil Armstrong's first step on the Moon occurred on July 20, 1969, and this launch was 32 days before its 40th anniversary.^[7]The LRO entered a low orbit around the Moon, while the LCROSS mission performed a "swing-by" and entered a different orbit to set up a collision with the Moon's surface several months later. The projected lunar impact of the Centaur and LCROSS spacecraft was on October 9, 2009, at 11:30 UT (7:30 a.m. EDT, 4:30 a.m. PDT), ± 30 minutes. The plume from the Centaur impact was predicted by NASA to be visible through telescopes with apertures as small as 10 to 12 inches (300 mm).^[5]^[8]

^ "Lunar Precursor Robotic Program". NASA. Archived from the original on 2008-04-21. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
^ Lunar Precursor and Robotic Program. NASA.
^ NASA Launch Schedule, retrieved August 8, 2008
^ "Lunar Spacecraft Launch to Moon!". Lunar Reconnaissance Orbite. NASA. June 18, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
^ ^a ^b Klotz, Irene (June 18, 2009). "NASA launches probes to scout the Moon". Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. ScienceDaily. Reuters. Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
^ "Lunar Spacecraft Launch to Moon!". Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter NASA's First step back to the Moon. NASA. June 18, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
^ Dunn, Marcia (June 18, 2009). "NASA launches unmanned Moon shot, first in decade". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2009-06-21. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
^ "LCROSS Observation Campaign". NASA. Archived from the original on 2012-05-04.

[1] "Lunar Precursor Robotic Program". NASA. Archived from the original on 2008-04-21. Retrieved 2008-02-26.

[2] Lunar Precursor and Robotic Program. NASA.

[3] NASA Launch Schedule, retrieved August 8, 2008

[4] "Lunar Spacecraft Launch to Moon!". Lunar Reconnaissance Orbite. NASA. June 18, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.

[Klotz-5] Klotz, Irene (June 18, 2009). "NASA launches probes to scout the Moon". Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. ScienceDaily. Reuters. Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.

[6] "Lunar Spacecraft Launch to Moon!". Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter NASA's First step back to the Moon. NASA. June 18, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.

[Marcia-7] Dunn, Marcia (June 18, 2009). "NASA launches unmanned Moon shot, first in decade". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2009-06-21. Retrieved 2009-06-18.

[8] "LCROSS Observation Campaign". NASA. Archived from the original on 2012-05-04.

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