LCROSS

Author(s): BrianJ DaveBowman2001

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The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) is a NASA space mission with the objective of determining the nature of hydrogen detected in the polar regions of the Moon and also looking for the presence of water in the form of ice. LCROSS was launched together with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter on 18 June 2009. Both LCROSS and its Centaur stage impacted the lunar south pole at Cabeus Crater on 9 October 2009. The plume generated by the mission helped confirm the existence of water ice on the Moon.

LCROSS and its Centaur stage on its first lunar flyby, 2009-Jun-20

Centaur separation, about T-10 hours before impact, 2009-Oct-9

LCROSS on its final approach to the Moon, 2009-Oct-9

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