Astronomy Picture of the Day . Atlas 5 Rocket Launches to the Moon . ... 22.06.2009 . ... Credit: NASA Explanation: This rocket is headed for the Moon. Pictured above , a huge Altas V rocket roared off the launch pad last week to start NASA's first missions to Earth's Moon in 10 years. ... The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter ( LRO ) is scheduled to orbit and better map the Moon, search for buried and hidden ice, and return many high resolution images. ... Publications with keywords: Moon . ...