Saturday, June 13, 2009

Todd May outlines lunar Precursor program

Plasma Wind - "Hitting a Harsh Mistress"

"June 5, Todd May, NASA Manager for the Lunar Precursor Robotic Program, gave a presentation to the Alabama Coalition for Space Exploration. The Coalition represents Huntsville businesses, industry and academia, and advocates for the benefits of space exploration to our community and nation. Todd’s presentation was entitled: LRO/LCROSS Launch Update. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) are a pair of satellites intended to ascertain the makeup of the moon, including impacting the moon’s surface (LCROSS), and looking at the ejecta plume. In particular, these missions will be looking for evidence of water."

"In Todd’s presentation, he covered motivations and approaches for lunar exploration that will be undertaken in the coming years. However, the focus was upon the LRO/LCROSS missions, and Todd gave an excellent overview of the programs, their purposes, and expected results."

Read the article and see the program HERE.