Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) (U.S.)

Updated May 8, 2019 | Infoplease Staff

Destination: Lunar orbit. Launch: Oct. 2008. Mission: To obtain data necessary for the return of humans to the Moon. The orbiting craft will measure deep-space radiation in lunar orbit, map temperature in polar shadowed regions, image surfaces in permanently shadowed regions, identify near-surface water ice in polar cold traps, and assess potential landing sites.