Springer - Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission Book

Explore the history and scientific importance of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission in this publication from Springer. Launched on June 18, 2009, the LRO joined an international group of satellites including Japan's SELENE/Kaguya, China's Chang'E, and India's Chandrayaan-1 to conduct scientific exploration of the Moon. This work details the LRO's role as the first step toward fulfilling the US national space goal of returning humans to the lunar surface. It covers the mission's objectives under NASA's Exploration Systems Mission directorate (ESMD) and discusses the initial one-year fully funded phase as well as the expected extended phase of operations.