|
Credit & Copyright: 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 rocket is carrying two robotic spacecraft.
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.
Some images will be below one-meter in resolution and include images of historic
Apollo landing sites.
Exploratory data and images should allow a more informed choice of possible future
astronaut landing sites.
The Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite
(LCROSS) is scheduled to
monitor the controlled
impact of the rocket's
upper stage into a permanently shadowed crater near the
Moon's south pole.
This impact, which should occur in about three months, might be visible on Earth
through small telescopes.
|
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Moon
Publications with words: Moon
See also:
- APOD: 2025 August 23 Á Fishing for the Moon
- APOD: 2025 July 20 Á Lunar Nearside
- APOD: 2025 June 28 Á Lunar Farside
- APOD: 2025 June 20 Á Major Lunar Standstill 2024 2025
- APOD: 2025 June 18 Á Space Station Silhouette on the Moon
- APOD: 2025 April 22 Á Terminator Moon: A Moonscape of Shadows
- Moon Near the Edge