Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Launch, Launch through Orbit Discussion Options

[Greg Hullender]

Since the LRO passed its Mission Rehersal today and is on track to launch on Wednesday next week, it seems like a good time to start a thread about the launch.

http://lunar.gsfc.nasa.gov/launch.html

From the link above, there will be a pre-launch webcast on Tuesday morning.

The launch is scheduled for 3:51 PM EDT (12:51 PDT) which is 1951 GMT Wednesday June 17. [Corrected -- thanks Gsnorgathon!]

When it actually starts sending back pictures, someone should probably start a separate thread, but I think it makes sense to have the launch discussion separate from both the Development and the Cool Pictures threads.

--Greg

[belleraphon1]

LCROSS - Streaming Video Coverage of the Lunar Swingby

LCROSS lunar swingby video stream coverage will begin approximately 5:20 a.m. PDT on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

The LCROSS instrumentation will send back data to Earth for approximately one hour. The first 30 minutes will contain a view of the lunar surface from an altitude of approximately 9,000 km. The video feed is set to display one frame per second. During the latter 30 minutes, the spacecraft will perform multiple scans of the moon's horizon to calibrate its sensors. During this latter half hour, the video image will update only occasionally. The 3D visualization stream will show the spacecraft position and attitude throughout the swingby.

Camera Feeds
The live streaming coverage of the lunar swingby will consist of two separate video streams:
Live video feed from the spacecraft's visible light camera at one frame per second. Real-time, telemetry-based animation of the lunar swingby.


http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/l...ngby/index.html

Perhaps this should really go to a new thread for mission. We are certainly past launch.

Craig

[belleraphon1]

Perhaps this should really go to a new thread for mission. We are certainly past launch.

Never mind... I see this is the thread for launch through ORBIT..

Old brain needs a tweak!!!

I too am looking forward to whatever old lunar landers and rovers the LRO can pick out.

Craig

[Greg Hullender]

Never mind... I see this is the thread for launch through ORBIT..

Yep. ;-) The idea was to separate the discussion about launch and cruise from the discussion about the pictures. I thought that made sense, since a) the pre-launch thread had gotten to be pretty long and b) the cruise is so short.

But as soon as someone has actual moon pictures to play with, he or she should create a "Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission" thread (or something like that). At least, that was MY thinking. :-)

--Greg