Launch of lunar observer with ASU camera

Mark Robinson, professor of geological sciences in ASUs School of Earth and Space Exploration, is the principal investigator for the imaging system on board the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter which is scheduled for launch on Wed, June 17. [right, rollout of the LRO payload for mounting on the Atlas rocket. Credit, NASA]

Other ASU and UA researchers are also part of the project.

A Visitor's Gallery is located on the Arizona State University, Tempe Campus in the Interdisciplinary A Building. Unguided interpretive exhibits are open to the general public 9:30 AM-4:30 PM Monday through Friday

The LRO Camera (LROC) will

1) Assess meter scale features to facilitate selection of future landing sites on the Moon. 2) Acquire images of the poles every orbit to characterize the polar illumination environment (100 meter scale), identifying regions of permanent shadow and permanent or near-permanent illumination over a full lunar year.

Webcasts of pre-launch activities and the actual launch will be available.