LCROSS

Overview

NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) was launched with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to determine if water-ice exists in a permanently shadowed crater at the Moon's south pole. As planned, LCROSS and its Centaur stage impacted the Moon on Oct. 9, 2009, exposing a plume of material that had not seen direct sunlight for billions of years, confirming the presence of water in the form of pure ice crystals in some places.

Key facts

Payload

621 kg

Reach

—

Speed

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Weight

621 kg

IP rating

—

Battery

—

Power

—

Autonomy

semi-autonomous

Launch year

2009

Price

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Status

active