- Status
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2131 GMT (5:31 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 1 minute. Now 60 seconds from launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and LCROSS spacecraft bound for the Moon.
2130 GMT (5:30 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 2 minutes. The Atlas first stage and Centaur upper stage are now switching from ground power to internal batteries.
2129 GMT (5:29 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 2 minutes, 30 seconds. The first stage RP-1 kerosene fuel tank and the liquid oxygen have stepped up to proper flight pressure levels.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2131 GMT (5:31 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 1 minute. Now 60 seconds from launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and LCROSS spacecraft bound for the Moon.
2130 GMT (5:30 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 2 minutes. The Atlas first stage and Centaur upper stage are now switching from ground power to internal batteries.
2129 GMT (5:29 p.m. EDT)
T-minus 2 minutes, 30 seconds. The first stage RP-1 kerosene fuel tank and the liquid oxygen have stepped up to proper flight pressure levels.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2132 GMT (5:32 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 50 seconds. The vehicle is passing through the region of maximum aerodynamic pressure as it disappears into the clouds.
2132 GMT (5:32 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 30 seconds. The Atlas 5 rocket is thundering away from Cape Canaveral on the power of the RD-180 main engine carrying a robotic scout to reconnoiter the Moon like never before and a sleuth that will dig into a tantalizing mystery at the lunar south pole.
2132 GMT (5:32 p.m. EDT)
LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Atlas 5 rocket launching NASA's robotic expedition that will pave the way for mankind's return to the Moon. And the vehicle has cleared the tower!
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2132 GMT (5:32 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 50 seconds. The vehicle is passing through the region of maximum aerodynamic pressure as it disappears into the clouds.
2132 GMT (5:32 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 30 seconds. The Atlas 5 rocket is thundering away from Cape Canaveral on the power of the RD-180 main engine carrying a robotic scout to reconnoiter the Moon like never before and a sleuth that will dig into a tantalizing mystery at the lunar south pole.
2132 GMT (5:32 p.m. EDT)
LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Atlas 5 rocket launching NASA's robotic expedition that will pave the way for mankind's return to the Moon. And the vehicle has cleared the tower!
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2134 GMT (5:34 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 2 minutes. Atlas is 11.3 miles in altitude, 9.9 miles downrange from the launch pad, traveling at 2,400 mph already.
2133 GMT (5:33 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 85 seconds. Mach 1.
2133 GMT (5:33 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 70 seconds. All systems reported stable.
2133 GMT (5:33 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 60 seconds. One minute into NASA's lunar voyage.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2134 GMT (5:34 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 2 minutes. Atlas is 11.3 miles in altitude, 9.9 miles downrange from the launch pad, traveling at 2,400 mph already.
2133 GMT (5:33 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 85 seconds. Mach 1.
2133 GMT (5:33 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 70 seconds. All systems reported stable.
2133 GMT (5:33 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 60 seconds. One minute into NASA's lunar voyage.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2141 GMT (5:41 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 9 minutes, 25 seconds. Centaur is 124 miles in altitude and 1,274 miles downrange, traveling at 13,740 mph.
2141 GMT (5:41 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 9 minutes. A little more than five minutes remain in this burn of Centaur.
2140 GMT (5:40 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 8 minutes, 45 seconds. All systems reported stable as the Centaur fires to reach an initial Earth orbit.
2139 GMT (5:39 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 7 minutes, 55 seconds. Passing 120 miles in altitude.
2139 GMT (5:39 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 7 minutes, 15 seconds. Speed now exceeding 12,000 mph.
2138 GMT (5:38 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 6 minutes, 25 seconds. Centaur is 105 miles in altitude and 618 miles downrange.
2137 GMT (5:37 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 5 minutes, 15 seconds. Centaur engine readings look good as this 10-minute burn continues.
2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 32 seconds. The two-halves of the Atlas 5 rocket nose cone encapsulating the spacecraft have separated.
2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 24 seconds. Centaur has ignited! The RL10 engine is up and running at full thrust.
2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 18 seconds. The Atlas 5's Common Core Booster first stage has been jettisoned, and the Centaur upper stage's liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen systems are being readied for engine start.
2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 8 seconds. BECO. Booster Engine Cutoff is confirmed as the RD-180 powerplant on the first stage completes its burn. Standing by to fire the retro thrusters and separate the spent stage.
2135 GMT (5:35 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 3 minutes, 40 seconds. The RD-180 main engine continues to fire normally, burning a mixture of highly refined kerosene and liquid oxygen.
2135 GMT (5:35 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 3 minutes, 10 seconds. The boost phase roll maneuver is underway.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2141 GMT (5:41 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 9 minutes, 25 seconds. Centaur is 124 miles in altitude and 1,274 miles downrange, traveling at 13,740 mph.
2141 GMT (5:41 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 9 minutes. A little more than five minutes remain in this burn of Centaur.
2140 GMT (5:40 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 8 minutes, 45 seconds. All systems reported stable as the Centaur fires to reach an initial Earth orbit.
2139 GMT (5:39 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 7 minutes, 55 seconds. Passing 120 miles in altitude.
2139 GMT (5:39 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 7 minutes, 15 seconds. Speed now exceeding 12,000 mph.
2138 GMT (5:38 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 6 minutes, 25 seconds. Centaur is 105 miles in altitude and 618 miles downrange.
2137 GMT (5:37 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 5 minutes, 15 seconds. Centaur engine readings look good as this 10-minute burn continues.
2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 32 seconds. The two-halves of the Atlas 5 rocket nose cone encapsulating the spacecraft have separated.
2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 24 seconds. Centaur has ignited! The RL10 engine is up and running at full thrust.
2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 18 seconds. The Atlas 5's Common Core Booster first stage has been jettisoned, and the Centaur upper stage's liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen systems are being readied for engine start.
2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 4 minutes, 8 seconds. BECO. Booster Engine Cutoff is confirmed as the RD-180 powerplant on the first stage completes its burn. Standing by to fire the retro thrusters and separate the spent stage.
2135 GMT (5:35 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 3 minutes, 40 seconds. The RD-180 main engine continues to fire normally, burning a mixture of highly refined kerosene and liquid oxygen.
2135 GMT (5:35 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 3 minutes, 10 seconds. The boost phase roll maneuver is underway.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2145 GMT (5:45 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 13 minutes. The vehicle is flying right on course. Traveling over 16,000 mph now.
2144 GMT (5:44 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 12 minutes. The RL10 continues to perform well. Tank pressures also look good.
2143 GMT (5:43 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 11 minutes. Centaur is 118 miles in altitude and 1,620 miles downrange, traveling well over 14,000 mph.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2145 GMT (5:45 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 13 minutes. The vehicle is flying right on course. Traveling over 16,000 mph now.
2144 GMT (5:44 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 12 minutes. The RL10 continues to perform well. Tank pressures also look good.
2143 GMT (5:43 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 11 minutes. Centaur is 118 miles in altitude and 1,620 miles downrange, traveling well over 14,000 mph.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
I am certainly very pleased with the situation thus far.
Shame I cannot watch it. Tried the YouTube link, that too chucked me out.
So I can only follow on text.
Looks like the Parking Orbit has been reached whilst LRO / LCROSS make just under one third of an Earth orbit prior to the RL10 engine fires up again.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2132 GMT (5:32 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 20 minutes. A map of the rocket's planned ground track for today's launch is available here.
2149 GMT (5:49 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 17 minutes, 30 seconds. The rocket is performing its turn to the proper position for the next engine firing.
2147 GMT (5:47 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 15 minutes, 50 seconds. The parking orbit parameters are right on the money.
2146 GMT (5:46 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 14 minutes, 30 seconds. This initial circular orbit is 100 nautical miles in altitude, inclined 28.5 degrees to the equator.
2146 GMT (5:46 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 14 minutes, 6 seconds. MECO 1. Centaur's main engine has shut down following its first burn today, achieving a preliminary orbit around Earth. The rocket will coast in this orbit for about 24 minutes before the RL10 engine re-ignites.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
MeteorWayne":3nyyatf6 said:I'm more than happy to get my birthday candle a day late
I am certainly very pleased with the situation thus far.
Shame I cannot watch it. Tried the YouTube link, that too chucked me out.
So I can only follow on text.
Looks like the Parking Orbit has been reached whilst LRO / LCROSS make just under one third of an Earth orbit prior to the RL10 engine fires up again.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2132 GMT (5:32 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 20 minutes. A map of the rocket's planned ground track for today's launch is available here.
2149 GMT (5:49 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 17 minutes, 30 seconds. The rocket is performing its turn to the proper position for the next engine firing.
2147 GMT (5:47 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 15 minutes, 50 seconds. The parking orbit parameters are right on the money.
2146 GMT (5:46 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 14 minutes, 30 seconds. This initial circular orbit is 100 nautical miles in altitude, inclined 28.5 degrees to the equator.
2146 GMT (5:46 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 14 minutes, 6 seconds. MECO 1. Centaur's main engine has shut down following its first burn today, achieving a preliminary orbit around Earth. The rocket will coast in this orbit for about 24 minutes before the RL10 engine re-ignites.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2208 GMT (6:08 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 26 minutes, 5 seconds. About one minute from engine start. Tank pressurization has started in preparation for ignition.
2204 GMT (6:04 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 32 minutes. Centaur systems are reported normal during this coast period.
2159 GMT (5:59 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 27 minutes. The quiet orbital coast continues. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite system is following the vehicle and transmitting telemetry back to the launch site.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2208 GMT (6:08 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 26 minutes, 5 seconds. About one minute from engine start. Tank pressurization has started in preparation for ignition.
2204 GMT (6:04 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 32 minutes. Centaur systems are reported normal during this coast period.
2159 GMT (5:59 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 27 minutes. The quiet orbital coast continues. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite system is following the vehicle and transmitting telemetry back to the launch site.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
Woo Hoo, the RL10 has reignited & is at full thrust.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2212 GMT (6:12 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 40 minutes. About two minutes left in this burn by the Centaur's single Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL10 engine.
2211 GMT (6:11 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 39 minutes, 20 seconds. Centaur is operating correctly. Battery voltages and tank pressures are as expected. The vehicle is stable and body rates are normal.
2210 GMT (6:10 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 38 minutes. The rocket is flying over the Indian Ocean now.
2209 GMT (6:09 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 37 minutes, 30 seconds. Engine is burning well for the second time in this launch.
2208 GMT (6:08 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 36 minutes, 59 seconds. Ignition and full thrust! The Centaur has begun the firing that will send the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to the Moon.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Woo Hoo, the RL10 has reignited & is at full thrust.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2212 GMT (6:12 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 40 minutes. About two minutes left in this burn by the Centaur's single Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL10 engine.
2211 GMT (6:11 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 39 minutes, 20 seconds. Centaur is operating correctly. Battery voltages and tank pressures are as expected. The vehicle is stable and body rates are normal.
2210 GMT (6:10 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 38 minutes. The rocket is flying over the Indian Ocean now.
2209 GMT (6:09 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 37 minutes, 30 seconds. Engine is burning well for the second time in this launch.
2208 GMT (6:08 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 36 minutes, 59 seconds. Ignition and full thrust! The Centaur has begun the firing that will send the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to the Moon.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
This is getting better. The Translunar burn was successful. LRO separation due in approx three minutes.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2216 GMT (6:16 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 34 minutes. Centaur is in the spacecraft deploy position.
2215 GMT (6:15 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 43 minutes, 20 seconds. Centaur has hit the planned orbital parameters.
2214 GMT (6:14 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 42 minutes, 30 seconds. Centaur is maneuvering itself to the proper orientation for releasing LRO.
2213 GMT (6:13 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 41 minutes, 57 seconds. MECO 2. Main engine cutoff confirmed. Centaur has completed its second burn. Release of the LRO payload from the rocket is expected in about three minutes.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
This is getting better. The Translunar burn was successful. LRO separation due in approx three minutes.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2216 GMT (6:16 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 34 minutes. Centaur is in the spacecraft deploy position.
2215 GMT (6:15 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 43 minutes, 20 seconds. Centaur has hit the planned orbital parameters.
2214 GMT (6:14 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 42 minutes, 30 seconds. Centaur is maneuvering itself to the proper orientation for releasing LRO.
2213 GMT (6:13 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 41 minutes, 57 seconds. MECO 2. Main engine cutoff confirmed. Centaur has completed its second burn. Release of the LRO payload from the rocket is expected in about three minutes.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: SEPARATION CONFIRMED. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
LRO is on the way to the Moon.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2216 GMT (6:16 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 44 minutes, 45 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Centaur upper stage has deployed the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter on its direct trajectory for the Moon.
The instrument-laden spacecraft is NASA's trailblazer for future human missions back the lunar surface. LRO will create detailed maps of the terrain, plot out potential landing sites, identify natural resources that could be exploited and characterize the radiation conditions that astronauts can expect.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: SEPARATION CONFIRMED. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
LRO is on the way to the Moon.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2216 GMT (6:16 p.m. EDT)
T+plus 44 minutes, 45 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Centaur upper stage has deployed the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter on its direct trajectory for the Moon.
The instrument-laden spacecraft is NASA's trailblazer for future human missions back the lunar surface. LRO will create detailed maps of the terrain, plot out potential landing sites, identify natural resources that could be exploited and characterize the radiation conditions that astronauts can expect.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2220 GMT (6:20 p.m. EDT)
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will reach the Moon on Tuesday morning at 5:43 a.m. EDT (0943 GMT) and ignite its engines for a nail-biting maneuver that amounts to a make-or-break moment in the $504 million mission.
The engine firing slows the spacecraft's speed and allows LRO to enter into orbit around the Moon. If all goes well, the satellite should swoop into an elliptical "commissioning orbit" of 30 by 216 kilometers (18.5 by 134 miles).
In a pre-launch interview, Craig Tooley, the LRO project manager, briefly describes what's upcoming for the spacecraft:
"We come off the launch vehicle and our very first concern is as soon as we're free and the breakwires and switches go, we begin to try to acquire commanding from the ground. We deploy the solar array, so we can get power positive. We deploy our high-gain antenna, although we have some flexibility with that because we have omni (antennas).
"We begin tracking and will do a mid-course correction to trim out whatever the Atlas gave us, and then a few days later we start doing some test burns of our larger rocket engines in preparation for this lunar orbit insertion. So basically we'll check them out so we'll know how they're actually performing before we commit to this big burn."
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
2220 GMT (6:20 p.m. EDT)
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will reach the Moon on Tuesday morning at 5:43 a.m. EDT (0943 GMT) and ignite its engines for a nail-biting maneuver that amounts to a make-or-break moment in the $504 million mission.
The engine firing slows the spacecraft's speed and allows LRO to enter into orbit around the Moon. If all goes well, the satellite should swoop into an elliptical "commissioning orbit" of 30 by 216 kilometers (18.5 by 134 miles).
In a pre-launch interview, Craig Tooley, the LRO project manager, briefly describes what's upcoming for the spacecraft:
"We come off the launch vehicle and our very first concern is as soon as we're free and the breakwires and switches go, we begin to try to acquire commanding from the ground. We deploy the solar array, so we can get power positive. We deploy our high-gain antenna, although we have some flexibility with that because we have omni (antennas).
"We begin tracking and will do a mid-course correction to trim out whatever the Atlas gave us, and then a few days later we start doing some test burns of our larger rocket engines in preparation for this lunar orbit insertion. So basically we'll check them out so we'll know how they're actually performing before we commit to this big burn."
From Spaceflightnow.com. Justin Ray.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
It's nice to only have to wait a few days for a spacecraft to reach a solar system body. Maybe I'm too impatient...
Anyway, congratulations LRO team!
It's nice to only have to wait a few days for a spacecraft to reach a solar system body. Maybe I'm too impatient...
Anyway, congratulations LRO team!
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
Hi Calli.
It is awesome. This mission is awesome. Can't wait for it to start the Lunar mission & the science & spectacular imagery (which of course is scientific also).
Got off to the best possible start, ULA & the Atlas 5 have excelled themselves, very well done to all concerned.
It's now upto LRO / LCROSS & the science / engineering teams to step up to the same plate.
I think from next week, we will have a great deal to talk about. I hope the cameras & other instrumentation will get a test prior to next Tuesday, perhaps some departing mug shots of Earth or of Jupiter in the distance, etc. Just a thought.
Great shot of the launch.
Also a couple of great shots here from our friend Ben Cooper. Well done & thank you very much Ben. There are some other great ULA shots here also.
Some more excellent LRO launch photography from Ben Cooper on his web site. Once again very well done & thank you Ben.
Great stuff. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Andrew Brown.
Hi Calli.
It is awesome. This mission is awesome. Can't wait for it to start the Lunar mission & the science & spectacular imagery (which of course is scientific also).
Got off to the best possible start, ULA & the Atlas 5 have excelled themselves, very well done to all concerned.
It's now upto LRO / LCROSS & the science / engineering teams to step up to the same plate.
I think from next week, we will have a great deal to talk about. I hope the cameras & other instrumentation will get a test prior to next Tuesday, perhaps some departing mug shots of Earth or of Jupiter in the distance, etc. Just a thought.
Great shot of the launch.
Also a couple of great shots here from our friend Ben Cooper. Well done & thank you very much Ben. There are some other great ULA shots here also.
Some more excellent LRO launch photography from Ben Cooper on his web site. Once again very well done & thank you Ben.
Great stuff. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
NASA produced a interesting webcast on LRO/LCROSS.
Enjoy,
Jeff
LRO-LCROSS Webcast Part 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EDMGH1Esq4
LRO-LCROSS Webcast Part 2 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1u7tX_4TyI
NASA produced a interesting webcast on LRO/LCROSS.
Enjoy,
Jeff
LRO-LCROSS Webcast Part 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EDMGH1Esq4
LRO-LCROSS Webcast Part 2 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1u7tX_4TyI
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
LRO On Track for Lunar Rendezvous
Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:25:45 PM EDT
Following a successful launch and separation on June 18, the Lunar
Reconnaissance Orbiter is on schedule to reach the moon on June 23 at
5:43 a.m. EDT.
LRO On Track for Lunar Rendezvous
Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:25:45 PM EDT
Following a successful launch and separation on June 18, the Lunar
Reconnaissance Orbiter is on schedule to reach the moon on June 23 at
5:43 a.m. EDT.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
Thank you very much Wayne. Looks like all is proceeding very smoothly. Launch was perfect, seperation, deployemnt of HGA & Solar Array, all proceeded on schedule & smoothly.
Great news indeed.
Andrew Brown.
Thank you very much Wayne. Looks like all is proceeding very smoothly. Launch was perfect, seperation, deployemnt of HGA & Solar Array, all proceeded on schedule & smoothly.
Great news indeed.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
LRO is nearing the Moon & orbital insertion is still expected @ 05:47 HRS EDT / 09:47 GMT - 10:47 HRS CET.
The LEND (Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector)& CRaTER (Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation) instruments have been turnd on & are operating very well.
The decontamination heater for LROC (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera) has been turned on & LROC will be turned on shortly.
Update Here.
It's looking good, lets hope tomorrow LRO achieves orbit.
Atlas 5 RocketCam view shortly after entering space with LRO/LCROSS.
There is also video here of the LRO / LCROSS launch with cameras aboard the Atlas 5. Need to be a subscriber, which is free, with login. Shame I cannot access them due to ongoing software problems, even though I am a subscriber.
Andrew Brown.
LRO is nearing the Moon & orbital insertion is still expected @ 05:47 HRS EDT / 09:47 GMT - 10:47 HRS CET.
The LEND (Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector)& CRaTER (Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation) instruments have been turnd on & are operating very well.
The decontamination heater for LROC (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera) has been turned on & LROC will be turned on shortly.
Update Here.
It's looking good, lets hope tomorrow LRO achieves orbit.
Atlas 5 RocketCam view shortly after entering space with LRO/LCROSS.
There is also video here of the LRO / LCROSS launch with cameras aboard the Atlas 5. Need to be a subscriber, which is free, with login. Shame I cannot access them due to ongoing software problems, even though I am a subscriber.
Andrew Brown.
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
LCROSS Update:
Updates for June 20th
Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:00:04 AM EDT
The flight operations team successfully completed the second trajectory correction maneuver and the spacecraft is steadily approaching the moon. At 5:00 p.m. PDT the spacecraft was approximately 125,000 miles (200,000 km) from the moon. All spacecraft systems nominal.
The science operations team, successfully powered up the spacecraft’s science payload and looked into deep space to assess the health of the cameras and spectrometers. All instruments are in good health and appear to be returning good data.
Upcoming mission events:
TCM 3 (6/22)
Star Field Calibration (6/22)
Periselene (6/23)
Lunar Swingby Calibration (6/23)
----
The lunar pass will be streamed live here beginning at 8:20 AM EDT."
Overview
After its successful launch, LCROSS is now on its way to the moon. Approximately five days after launch, the spacecraft will perform a lunar swingby to enter into an elongated polar Earth orbit to position LCROSS for impact on the lunar south pole (see mission overview video). Shortly after periselene, the time of closest approach to the lunar surface, the LCROSS science payload will be switched on for the duration of one hour for calibration of its cameras and spectrometers.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/lunarswingby/
LCROSS Update:
Updates for June 20th
Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:00:04 AM EDT
The flight operations team successfully completed the second trajectory correction maneuver and the spacecraft is steadily approaching the moon. At 5:00 p.m. PDT the spacecraft was approximately 125,000 miles (200,000 km) from the moon. All spacecraft systems nominal.
The science operations team, successfully powered up the spacecraft’s science payload and looked into deep space to assess the health of the cameras and spectrometers. All instruments are in good health and appear to be returning good data.
Upcoming mission events:
TCM 3 (6/22)
Star Field Calibration (6/22)
Periselene (6/23)
Lunar Swingby Calibration (6/23)
----
The lunar pass will be streamed live here beginning at 8:20 AM EDT."
Overview
After its successful launch, LCROSS is now on its way to the moon. Approximately five days after launch, the spacecraft will perform a lunar swingby to enter into an elongated polar Earth orbit to position LCROSS for impact on the lunar south pole (see mission overview video). Shortly after periselene, the time of closest approach to the lunar surface, the LCROSS science payload will be switched on for the duration of one hour for calibration of its cameras and spectrometers.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/lunarswingby/
Re: LRO/LCROSS Mission
Thanks Wayne,
Graphics shows the convoluted route of LCROSS very well indeed. Shame I cannot watch the video.
Looking forward to the test images from the LRO LROC though.
Andrew Brown.
Thanks Wayne,
Graphics shows the convoluted route of LCROSS very well indeed. Shame I cannot watch the video.
Looking forward to the test images from the LRO LROC though.
Andrew Brown.
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