Back to the Moon: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Project

User rating: 3.3 / 5 after 3 vote(s)

Artists rendering of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft in orbit. Click image to enlarge Credit: NASA
Artist's rendering of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft in orbit. Click image to enlarge Credit: NASA

Of the two luminaries that dominate our sky, it is the moon that is of particular interest to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) project. The LRO will travel to the moon in late fall 2008, mapping the surface to help pave the way for humans to return. It will help prepare us for extended surface exploration on the moon and for subsequent missions to Mars and other distant destinations. Lunar surface exploration will help us to practice living, working, and gathering science data before we venture into riskier territory.


Full story »
All News summaries from Space & Earth science news
All News summaries for April 19, 2007

Computer Simulations Reveal Exotic Weather on Distant Worlds

2 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- Computer simulations of the atmospheric circulation on Jupiter-like planets around other stars can explain temperature observations of these planets and shed light on the exotic weather experienced ...

Tides Have Major Impact on Planet Habitability

2 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- Astronomers searching for rocky planets that could support life in other solar systems should look outside, as well as within, the so-called "habitable zone," University of Arizona planetary ...

Moist Convection Can Drive Jet Streams on All Four Giant Planets

2 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- Turbulence generated by thunderstorms can drive the multiple east-west jet streams on the giant planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune – and explain a long-standing conundrum concerning ...

Giant Cyclones at Saturn's Poles Create a Swirl of Mystery

3 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- New images from NASA's Cassini spacecraft reveal a giant cyclone at Saturn's north pole, and show that a similarly monstrous cyclone churning at Saturn's south pole is powered by Earth-like ...

Martian weather satellite's first report

4 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists now have a ‘Martian weather satellite’ to observe the weather on Mars in the same way as they monitor Earth’s weather. Its first ‘weather report’ has been given by a team including ...
Goto Archive PhysOrg Forum Goto Archive Video Goto Archive Editorials Goto Archive Free Magazines Goto Archive Newsletter

News Archive