Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

cIclops · 2006-01-27 11:04:20

This mission was announced some time ago for launch in 2008, it even has a homepage and it definitely needs to be here in unmanned missions. That aside AW&ST recently posted a story about the mission that says it may carry a lander!

SpaceNut · 2006-01-27 21:26:20

I probably should have started this thread a long time ago but with so little news on LRO and how it is part of the plan for the moon, many posts were made in the Moon direct threads.

The lander is actually the second probing of the lunar surface mostly for insitu resources but since the methane engine on the LSAM is out probably then this will mean that this lander may get canned or delayed as well.

SpaceNut · 2006-02-09 11:43:33

Following up on the other threads with simular topic NASA returns to the Moon, robotic-LRO launches 2008 ! now locked. This mission is important but as I noted it has been down played for at least a portion of what was initially a search of water for insitu methane engine fuel production. Both this LRO topic and of methane for expansion into space for colonization have been mentioned more than a few times in the The need for a Moon direct threads...

The most important goals gets mention in the second page of the Lunar orbiter readied to take giant leap, NASA’s assault on the moon will start with survey of landing sites; amoung these are the imaging of previous landing sights both US and Russian. There is also the search for lunar ice which is a very high priority to find if man wants to stay long term.

SpaceNut · 2006-02-13 08:25:01

The LRO is not just another Photo probe will pave way for manned moon mission it will photograph the moon in 50cm sections, giving a full picture of the lunar surface for the very first time. These are to also include the polars and creators of eternal light.

cIclops · 2006-02-13 13:26:59

Extract from NASA 2007 Budget request:

The LRO contains a suite of six instruments selected through a competitive process, plus a technology demonstration payload that offers additional measurement data. Taken as a whole, the instruments will map the lunar topography, provide high resolution imaging of key areas of interest, identify the characteristic signatures that could identify precise locations of important materials like water ice, and characterize the radiation environment for human explorers in addition to providing scientific data to
support the investigation of the origin and evolution of our solar system.

The LRO is scheduled for a Non-Advocate Review in the third quarter of FY 2006. At that time NASA will establish a Life Cycle Cost commmitment, and provide it to Congress.

Launch in 2008 to 50km lunar orbit with one year operational life.

Technical Parameters

The LRO will take measurements in support of future robotic and human missions by providing highly accurate mapping of lunar topography and potential resources (including water ice). After completion of the nominal one-year primary mission, LRO will move to a second orbit (to reduce the high demand for station-keeping propellant required at the lower orbit) and continue to take measurements for up to four more years.

Technical Specification

Provide lunar topography accurate to 1 meter altitude and accurate to within 100 meters horizontal position.

Identify potential water locations based on various signatures (hydrogen concentration and lyman-alpha detection) accurate to between 500 m and 10 km, depending on nature of the specific signature.

Provide a mapping of temperature distribution over the Moon's surface, with temperature accuracy of 5 degrees Celsius and position accuracy of 500 m.

Characterize the presence of lunar resources, including mineralogy. Measure the radiation environment and its effect on human tissue
simulants.

Budget in $millions

FY2005 47.4
FY2006 102.2
FY2007 119.4
FY2008 91.0
FY2009 27.9
FY2010 5.3
FY2011 1.7

Total: 394.9

SpaceNut · 2006-02-14 09:38:16

Only a year of operation? ??? Why bother since it will be another 10 years before we will even set foot on it. Would the maps even be good enough?

Since we are in roll out mode of delay we can wait at least half of that time.

Commodore · 2006-02-14 21:31:27

The Moon isn't exactly like the Balkins, were the maps change once a week.

cIclops · 2006-02-18 09:56:09

LRO passes Preliminary Design Review

article[/url]"]
The preliminary design review concluded Feb. 9. The results of the review, on-going assessments of project cost and schedule will support a confirmation review this spring.
The confirmation review represents NASA's formal decision for authorizing additional work and will set the project's cost estimate. The mission's Critical Design Review is scheduled for fall. It will represent the completion of detailed system design, the transition to assembly and integration of the mission elements.

Mars_B4_Moon · 2006-03-27 12:36:39

Only a year of operation? ??? Why bother since it will be another 10 years before we will even set foot on it. Would the maps even be good enough?
Since we are in roll out mode of delay we can wait at least half of that time.

NASA Considers Stowaway Finalists for LRO Launch
By Brian Berger
Space News Staff Writer
http://www.space.com/spacenews/business … 60327.html
With extra room available on the rocket that will launch the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in late 2008, NASA is evaluating four proposals for low-cost spacecraft small enough to be stowaways on the mission.

more info on NASA's Lunar Orbiter
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=19046
LRO test - scheduled for launch in October 2008

A more controversial idea on getting NASA to the Moon
Outsourcing NASA programs to INDIA
Bush plans to Outsource NASA lunar missions to India and beyond ?

Debates in India on manned Spaceflight
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/lunar-04zy.html
The first Indian astronaut was Rakesh Sharma aboard the Soviet spacecraft Salyut 7

cIclops · 2006-04-07 03:46:33

... AW&ST recently posted a story about the mission that says it may carry a lander!

He he I always wanted to quote myself . Yes more news that LRO will have a lander. An annoucement is expected April 10 at a news conference on the Lunar Research Mission (on NASA TV at 06:00 UT)

SpaceDaily.com are now reporting that the secondary payload will be an impactor to expose ice deposits.

SpaceNut · 2006-04-07 20:54:42

This action makes or breaks to reason for the deletion of the methane engines and other insitu use hardware developement from the near future...

cIclops · 2006-04-10 13:04:42

Announced today, the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) will be a secondary payload on the same launch vehicle as the LRO mission. Details here

cIclops · 2006-05-19 07:39:12

Not unexpected but good to hear that LRO is formally approved! according to spaceflightnow

After successful completion of its mission confirmation review on Wednesday, May 17, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter project has been given the authority to proceed to the implementation phase.

RedStreak · 2006-06-01 20:19:06

Only a year of operation? ??? Why bother since it will be another 10 years before we will even set foot on it. Would the maps even be good enough?
Since we are in roll out mode of delay we can wait at least half of that time.

Some geologists say the moon hasn't changed dramatically within a billion years' time.

....something tells me 10 years won't be so bad.

Although an improved geographic map won't hurt I'm more eager to hear what the other instruments can provide, including the situation with the polar ice and also radiation measurments. With those 10 years you mention SpaceNut that would give us time to counter anything unexpected LRO would detect ahead of time for us. Just think of it that way SpaceNut

RedStreak · 2006-06-01 20:21:25

I hope critical review comes up soon. I've seen easily 3 different configurations for the LRO and I still have no idea what shape the craft will take.

I'm assuming it will be something similar to this: http://lunar.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/lro/2006sc-lg.jpg

cIclops · 2006-12-07 03:59:03

Artist Rendering

At the 2nd space exploration conference yesterday, Craig Tooley, LRO Project Manager said LRO would return 400 TB !! of data during its mission ... the data rate seems to have increased to 300 Mbps.

cIclops · 2006-12-08 09:41:31

Critical Design Review successfully completed

The LRO Critical Design Review began November 6, 2006 at NASA Goddard in Greenbelt, Md., where LRO will be built. The independent review board, comprised of reviewers from NASA and several external organizations, heard presentations on all aspects of LRO design. Presentations included the spacecraft construction and systems integration, the science operations center, testing, and safety requirements.
Critical Design Reviews are one-time programmatic events that bridge the design and manufacturing stages of a project. A successful review means that the design is validated and will meet its requirements, is backed up with solid analysis and documentation, and has been proven to be safe. LRO's CDR completion grants Goddard permission to begin manufacturing hardware.

SpaceNut · 2006-12-08 10:44:13

The first in a series of robotic missions to the moon, the lunar orbiter is scheduled for launch in October 2008. It will carry six science instruments and a technology demonstration. The mission goal is to expand the coverage and accuracy of lunar maps and environmental data, enabling selection of landing sites for future robotic and human lunar missions.

This is a two for one design in that a secondary payload called Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite will be along for the ride.

The Launch Services for Lunar Mission went to Lockheed Martin.

total cost of launch services for NASA, which includes spacecraft processing, and associated mission integration services such as telemetry support and mission-unique items is $136.2 million dollars.

Launch Date: October 31, 2008
Launch Vehicle: Atlas 401
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center

RedStreak · 2006-12-08 16:19:56

A Halloween mission - how spookily intruiging...

Still hoping to see some specific technical designs of LRO and its piggy-back LCROSS. Any specifics yet on what LCROSS will be carrying for that matter?

cIclops · 2007-01-15 11:08:04

More details here on the LRO mission (PDF)

Outline here of LCROSS (PDF)

Webcast of the LRO and LCROSS presentations from the 2nd Exploration Conference on 6 Dec 2006 (LRO/LCROSS begins about 10 minutes into the webcast)

RedStreak · 2007-01-16 19:21:09

This dual mission sounds quite promising.

Shackelton Crater seems to be becoming a prominently popular choice for a manned landing site if both LCROSS and LRO's mission specs and the VSE web site are any indication.

With Lunar Prospector its possible the probe was too tiny to throw up enough debris but with an entire Centaur rocket plowing in at lunar escape velocity+ it will either kill or confirm water ice. The only other possibility for both missions was they just got damn unlucky - only difference will be the Centaur will no doubt throw up a substantially bigger ploom cloud and generate a larger crater, that increases its odds at least even if slightly against the sheer area of Shackelton.

How will LRO's detail compare with that of Lunar Prospector I wonder? Will it be like comparing Viking against MRO?

cIclops · 2007-01-17 12:31:46

The Russian neutron detector instrument onboard probably has a similar sensitivity (100ppm) as Lunar Prospector but with a much higher surface resolution ( 5 kms v 150 kms).

details of LEND (Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector)

+ Creation of high resolution Hydrogen distribution maps with sensitivity of about 100 ppm of Hydrogen weight and horizontal spatial resolution of 5 km.
+ Characterization of surface distribution and column density of possible near-surface water ice deposits in the Moon's polar cold traps.

Also LAMP (Lyman-Alpha Mapping Project) will be able to see water ice shining in the UV band.

Yang Liwei Rocket · 2007-01-19 21:32:44

Looks like a great mission

cIclops · 2007-02-03 07:58:28

Moon-Impactor Mission Passes Major Review - 2 Feb 2007

WASHINGTON - NASA's drive to return astronauts to the moon and later probe deeper into space achieved a key milestone recently when agency officials approved critical elements of a moon impact mission scheduled to launch in October 2008. NASA's unmanned Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, known as LCROSS, will strike the moon near its south pole in January 2009. It will search for water and other materials that astronauts could use at a future lunar outpost.
Scott Horowitz, associate administrator of the agency's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, led a confirmation review panel that recently approved the detailed plans, instrument suite, budget and risk factor analysis for the satellite.
NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., manages the mission. The mission is valued at $79 million, excluding launch costs. The mission will help NASA gain a new foothold on the moon and prepare for new journeys to Mars and beyond.
The confirmation review authorized continuation of the lunar impactor project and set its cost and schedule. Another mission milestone, the critical design review, is scheduled for late February. That review will examine the detailed Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite system design. After a successful critical design review, the project team will assemble the spacecraft and its instruments.

SpaceNut · 2007-03-16 20:08:20

Looks like the tightening of the belt will put ahold on the lunar probe missions.

NASA Seeks To Readjust Lunar Robotic Program - Again at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is either being totally shut down or dramatically reduced in size with lunar mission coordination moving back to NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC - after making a cross country tour first from NASA HQ to Ames Research Center (ARC) in California, then later from Ames to MSFC in Alabama.

New Mars Forums

Announcement

#1 2006-01-27 11:04:20

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#2 2006-01-27 21:26:20

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#3 2006-02-09 11:43:33

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#4 2006-02-13 08:25:01

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#5 2006-02-13 13:26:59

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#6 2006-02-14 09:38:16

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#7 2006-02-14 21:31:27

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#8 2006-02-18 09:56:09

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#9 2006-03-27 12:36:39

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#10 2006-04-07 03:46:33

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#11 2006-04-07 20:54:42

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#12 2006-04-10 13:04:42

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#13 2006-05-19 07:39:12

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#14 2006-06-01 20:19:06

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#15 2006-06-01 20:21:25

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#16 2006-12-07 03:59:03

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#17 2006-12-08 09:41:31

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#18 2006-12-08 10:44:13

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#19 2006-12-08 16:19:56

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#20 2007-01-15 11:08:04

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#21 2007-01-16 19:21:09

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#22 2007-01-17 12:31:46

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#23 2007-01-19 21:32:44

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#24 2007-02-03 07:58:28

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

#25 2007-03-16 20:08:20

Re: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) & LCROSS impactor

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