LRO/LCROSS Launch Preview

HowWhereWhen

• We will use the Atlas V Launch Vehicle• Latest version in the Atlas family of

boosters• Early Atlas boosters were used for

manned Mercury missions 1962-63• Atlas V has become a mainstay of U.S.

satellite launches• NASA has used Atlas V to launch MRO

to Mars in 2004 and New Horizons to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt in 2006

How?

• We will launch from Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral

• Helios probes to the Sun• Viking probes to Mars• Voyager planetary flyby and

deep space probes• Mars Reconnaissance

Orbiter• New Horizons spacecraft to

Pluto and Kuiper Belt

Where?

Atlas V first stage arrived by cargo aircraft

Vertical Integration Facility

What’s going to happen?

First stage delivered to VIF

First stage lifted into VIF

First stage lifted into VIF

Centaur stacked on first stage

LRO and LCROSS will be stacked onto Centaur

Mobile Launch Platform will transport spacecraft from VIF to pad

When?• LRO/LCROSS

scheduled for June launch

• Currently looking at an early October impact for LCROSS

• Impact is currently targeting South Pole of the Moon

LCROSS Trajectory: The Long and Winding Road

• Flyby transitions to Lunar Gravity Assist Lunar Return Orbits (LGALRO)

• Multiple LGALRO orbits about Earth (~38 day period)

• Long transit also provides time to vent any remaining fuel from Centaur

Student Telemetry Program• GAVRT – Goldstone Apple Valley Radio

Telescope run by Lewis Center for Educational Research

• 34m DSS-12 &DSS-13 dishes

• Used by thousands of K-12 students around the world

• Students will monitorspacecraft health andstatus during flight

We believe amateur telescopes may be able to witness the impact plume and are encouraging amateurs and students to share their results.

Student and Public Observation Campaign