NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, and Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, missions to the moon are preparing for launch. The missions are targeted to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard an Atlas V rocket no earlier than June 17, 2009, at 3:51 p.m.
EDT.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will focus on the selection of safe landing sites, identification of lunar resources and the study of how lunar radiation will affect humans. Parts of the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite will impact the moon twice in its search for water ice.
International journalists planning to cover the launch of LRO and LCROSS must apply for accreditation by May 27. The deadline for U.S. reporters to apply for accreditation is June 10. Media representatives applying for credentials should submit requests via the Web at: https://media.ksc.nasa.gov
Two forms of government-issued identification, one with a photo, will be required to receive an access badge for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to cover the prelaunch news conference and launch. For further information about accreditation, contact Laurel Lichtenberger at Kennedy at 321-867-4036.
For more information about the LRO mission, visit
http://www.nasa.gov/lro
For more information about the LCROSS mission, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/lcross
