View source for LCROSS

{{Short description|Lunar Impactor}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020|cs1-dates=y}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name               = LCROSS
| image              = LCROSS Centaur 1.jpg
| image_caption      = LCROSS spacecraft, artist's rendering
| mission_type       = Lunar impactor
| operator           = [[NASA]]{{\}}[[Ames Research Center|ARC]]
| website            = [https://science.nasa.gov/mission/lcross/ NASA - LCROSS]
| COSPAR_ID          = 2009-031B
| SATCAT             = 35316
| mission_duration   = Launch to last impact: 3 mo., 20 days, 14 hrs., 5 min.
| spacecraft_bus     = [[Eagle-0]]
| manufacturer       = [[Northrop Grumman]]
| dry_mass           = 
| launch_mass        = Shepherding Spacecraft: {{convert|621|kg|lb}}<br/><small>Centaur: {{convert|2249|kg|lb}}</small><ref name="PressKit">{{cite web |url= http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/360020main_LRO_LCROSS_presskit2.pdf |title= LRO/LCROSS Press Kit v2 |access-date=August 4, 2009 |publisher= NASA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027111849/http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/360020main_LRO_LCROSS_presskit2.pdf|archive-date=October 27, 2009}}</ref>
| power              = <!-- [[watt]]s -->
| launch_date        = {{start date text|June 18, 2009, 21:32:00|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC
| launch_rocket      = [[Atlas V]] 401
| launch_site        = [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]] [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]]
| launch_contractor  = [[United Launch Alliance]]
| orbit_epoch        = 
| orbit_reference    = [[Geocentric orbit|Geocentric]]
| orbit_regime       = [[High Earth orbit|High Earth]]
| orbit_periapsis    = 
| orbit_apoapsis     = 
| orbit_inclination  = 
| orbit_period       = 37&nbsp;days
| apsis              = gee
| interplanetary     = {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
|type                = impactor
|object              = [[Moon|Lunar]]
|arrival_date        = {{end date text|October 9, 2009, 11:37|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC
|location            = <!--impact coordinates-->
}}
}}
The '''Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite''' ('''LCROSS''') was a [[robotic spacecraft]] operated by [[NASA]]. The mission was conceived as a low-cost means of determining the nature of [[hydrogen]] detected at the polar regions of the [[Moon]].<ref name=NASA>{{cite journal|author1=Tompkins, Paul D. |author2=Hunt, Rusty |author3=D'Ortenzio, Matt D. |author4=Strong, James |author5=Galal, Ken |author6=Bresina, John L. |author7=Foreman, Darin |author8=Barber, Robert |author9=Shirley, Mark |author10=Munger, James |author11=Drucker, Eric |title=Flight Operations for the LCROSS Lunar Impactor Mission|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20100026403.pdf|journal=NASA|date=April 25, 2010 |publisher=Ames Research Center|access-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref> Launched immediately after discovery of [[lunar water]] by [[Chandrayaan-1]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/24/water-moon-space-exploration-india|title = Indian lunar mission finds water on moon| website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date = September 24, 2009}}</ref> the main LCROSS mission objective was to further explore the presence of [[water]] in the form of ice in a permanently shadowed crater near a lunar polar region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/overview/index.html |title=NASA - LCROSS: Mission Overview |publisher=Nasa.gov |access-date=November 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505062437/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/overview/index.html|archive-date=May 5, 2010}}</ref> It was successful in confirming water in the southern lunar crater [[Cabeus (crater)|Cabeus]].<ref name=spectralResult >{{cite news
| first=Jonas
| last=Dino
| author2=Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite Team
| title=LCROSS Impact Data Indicates Water on Moon
| date=November 13, 2009
| publisher=[[NASA]]
| url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/main/prelim_water_results.html
| access-date= November 14, 2009
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106005538/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/main/prelim_water_results.html|archive-date=January 6, 2010}}</ref>

It was launched together with the [[Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter]] (LRO) on June 18, 2009, as part of the shared [[Lunar Precursor Robotic Program]], the first [[United States|American]] mission to the Moon in over ten years.

LCROSS was designed to collect and relay data from the impact and debris plume resulting from the launch vehicle's spent [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur]] upper stage (and data-collecting Shepherding Spacecraft) striking the crater [[Cabeus (crater)|Cabeus]] near the south pole of the Moon.

Centaur had nominal impact mass of 2,305&nbsp;kg (5,081&nbsp;lb), and an impact velocity of about {{convert|9000|km/h|mph|abbr=on}},<ref name=Moonstar/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/features/2009/LCROSS_new_crater.html|title=NASA's LCROSS Mission Changes Impact Crater|publisher=NASA|date=September 29, 2009|access-date=November 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028005912/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/features/2009/LCROSS_new_crater.html|archive-date=October 28, 2009}}</ref> releasing the kinetic [[TNT equivalent|energy equivalent]] of detonating approximately 2 tons of [[trinitrotoluene|TNT]] (7.2 [[Terajoule|TJ]]).

LCROSS suffered a malfunction on August 22, depleting half of its fuel and leaving very little fuel margin in the spacecraft.<ref name="S.Clark">{{cite web
|title=Managers mull options after moon mission malfunction
|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/lcross/090825fuel/
|date=August 25, 2009
|author=Stephen Clark
|publisher=Spaceflight Now}}</ref>

Centaur impacted successfully on October 9, 2009, at 11:31 [[UTC]]. The Shepherding Spacecraft descended through Centaur's ejectate plume, collected and relayed data, impacting six minutes later at 11:37 UTC.<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/707964--nasa-crashes-rocket-into-moon TheStar.com], "NASA crashes rocket into moon".</ref>

Contrary to media reports at the time, neither the impact nor its dust cloud could be seen from Earth, using the naked eye or telescopes.

==Mission==

[[File:LCROSS Centaur Impact Flash.jpg|thumb|The flash from the LCROSS Centaur impact.]]
LCROSS was a fast-track, low-cost companion mission to the LRO. The LCROSS [[payload (air and space craft)|payload]] was added after NASA moved the LRO from the [[Delta II]] to a larger launch vehicle. It was chosen from 19 other proposals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.space.com/2276-nasa-adds-moon-crashing-probes-lro-mission.html|title=NASA Adds Moon Crashing Probes to LRO Mission|work=Space.com|date=April 10, 2006|access-date=April 11, 2006|author=Tariq Malik}}</ref> LCROSS's mission was dedicated to late American broadcaster [[Walter Cronkite]].<ref name=Moonstar>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/tech_news/2009/10/09/nasa_crashes_rocket_into_moon.html|title=NASA crashes rocket into moon|date=October 9, 2009|access-date=October 9, 2009|work=[[Toronto Star]]}}</ref>

LCROSS launched with the [[Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter|LRO]] aboard an [[Atlas V]] rocket from [[Cape Canaveral, Florida]], on June 18, 2009, at 21:32 [[UTC]] (17:32 [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]). On June 23, four and a half days after launch, LCROSS and its attached [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur booster rocket]] successfully completed a lunar swingby and entered into [[polar orbit|polar Earth orbit]] with a period of 37 days, positioning LCROSS for impact on a lunar pole.<ref>{{cite web
|title=NASA Moon Impactor Successfully Completes Lunar Maneuver
|url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2009/09-68AR.html
|date=June 23, 2009
|publisher=NASA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028165712/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2009/09-68AR.html|archive-date=October 28, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|title=LCROSS Lunar Swingby Streaming Video
|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/lunarswingby/index.html
|date=June 23, 2009
|publisher=NASA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830165141/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/lunarswingby/index.html|archive-date=August 30, 2009}}</ref>

Early in the morning on August 22, 2009, LCROSS ground controllers discovered an anomaly caused by a sensor problem, which had resulted in the spacecraft using up 140 kilograms (309 pounds) of fuel, more than half of the fuel remaining at the time. According to Dan Andrews, the LCROSS project manager, "Our estimates now are if we pretty much baseline the mission, meaning just accomplish the things that we have to [do] to get the job done with full mission success, we're still in the black on propellant, but not by a lot."<ref name="S.Clark"/>
[[File:LCROSS Trajectory Side View.svg|left|thumb|The LCROSS trajectory]]
[[File:Animation of LCROSS trajectory.gif |thumb |left|Animation of LCROSS{{'s}} trajectory from June 18, 2009, to October 9, 2009<br />{{legend2|magenta|LCROSS}}{{·}}{{legend2|Lime |[[Moon]]}}{{·}}{{legend2|RoyalBlue|[[Earth]]}}]]
[[File:LCROSS Centaur.jpg|right|thumb|An illustration of the LCROSS Centaur rocket stage and Shepherding Spacecraft as they approach impact with the lunar south pole on October 9, 2009.]]
Lunar impacts, after approximately three orbits, occurred on October 9, 2009, with the Centaur crashing into the Moon at 11:31 [[UTC]] and the Shepherding Spacecraft following a few minutes later.<ref name=AP>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091009/ap_on_sc/us_sci_shoot_the_moon |title=NASA probes give moon a double smack |agency=Associated Press |date=October 9, 2009 |access-date=October 9, 2009 |author=Seth Borenstein |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009114926/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091009/ap_on_sc/us_sci_shoot_the_moon |archive-date=October 9, 2009}}</ref> The mission team initially announced that Cabeus A would be the target crater for the LCROSS dual impacts,<ref name="observation">{{cite web|url=http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/observation.htm |title=LCROSS Observation Campaign |publisher=NASA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504042620/http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/observation.htm |archive-date=May 4, 2012 }}</ref> but later refined the target to be the larger, main Cabeus crater.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna33064495 |title= Moon-crashing probe aimed at bigger target |date= September 29, 2009 |publisher= NBC News}}</ref>

On its final approach to the Moon, the Shepherding Spacecraft and Centaur separated October 9, 2009, at 01:50 UTC.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/main/index.html |title= NASA - LCROSS |publisher= NASA}}</ref> The Centaur upper stage acted as a heavy impactor to create a debris plume that rose above the lunar surface. Following four minutes after impact of the Centaur upper stage, the Shepherding Spacecraft flew through this debris plume, collecting and relaying data back to Earth before it struck the lunar surface to produce a second debris plume. The impact velocity was projected to be {{convert|9000|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} or 2.5&nbsp;km/second.<ref>{{cite web
|url= https://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/11aug_lcross.htm
|title= A Flash of Insight: LCROSS Mission Update
|date= August 11, 2008
|publisher= NASA
|url-status= dead
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090105212753/http://science.nasa.gov./headlines/y2008/11aug_lcross.htm
|archive-date= January 5, 2009
}}</ref>

The Centaur impact was expected to excavate more than {{convert|350|MT|ST||lk=on}} of lunar material and create a crater about 27&nbsp;m (90&nbsp;ft) in diameter to a depth of about {{convert|5|m|abbr=on}}. The Shepherding Spacecraft impact was projected to excavate an estimated {{convert|150|MT|ST}} and create a crater approximately 18&nbsp;m (60&nbsp;ft) in diameter to a depth of about 3&nbsp;m (10&nbsp;ft). Most of the material in the Centaur debris plume was expected to remain at (lunar) altitudes below {{convert|10|km|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="PressKit"/>

It was hoped that [[spectroscopy|spectral analysis]] of the resulting impact plume would help to confirm preliminary findings by the [[Clementine mission|Clementine]] and [[Lunar Prospector]] missions which hinted that there may be [[lunar ice|water ice]] in the permanently shadowed regions. Mission scientists expected that the Centaur impact plume would be visible through amateur-class telescopes with apertures as small as 25 to 30&nbsp;cm (10 to 12&nbsp;inches).<ref name="observation"/>
But no plume was observed by such amateur telescopes. Even world class telescopes such as the [[Hale Telescope]], equipped with adaptive optics, did not detect the plume. The plume may have still occurred but at a small scale not detectable from Earth.
Both impacts were also monitored by Earth-based observatories and by orbital assets, such as the [[Hubble Space Telescope]].

Whether or not LCROSS would find water had been stated to be influential in whether or not the United States government pursues creating a [[Colonization of the Moon|Moon base]].<ref name=Chosun>{{cite news|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/10/09/2009100900348.html|access-date=October 9, 2009|date=October 9, 2009|newspaper=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|title=NASA's Rocket Crash Might Boost Plans for Moon Colonies}}</ref> On November 13, 2009, NASA confirmed that water was detected after the Centaur impacted the crater.<ref name=spectralResult/>

==Spacecraft==
[[File:Exploded view of LCROSS spacecraft.png|thumb|LCROSS spacecraft ([[exploded view]])]]
The LCROSS mission took advantage of the structural capabilities of the [[Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle]] (EELV) [[EELV Secondary Payload Adapter|Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA)]] ring<ref>{{cite web|url=https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2028&context=smallsat|title=Evolved expendable launch vehicle secondary payload adapter - A New Delivery System for Small Satellites|format=PDF}}</ref> used to attach LRO to the Centaur upper-stage rocket to form the Shepherding Spacecraft. Mounted on the outside of the ESPA were six panels that hold the spacecraft's science payload, command and control systems, communications equipment, batteries, and solar panels. A small [[monopropellant rocket|monopropellant propulsion system]] was mounted inside of the ring. Also attached were two [[S Band]] [[omnidirectional antenna]]s and two medium-gain antennas. The mission's strict schedule, mass, and budget constraints posed difficult challenges to engineering teams from NASA [[Ames Research Center]] (ARC) and [[Northrop Grumman]]. Their creative thinking led to a unique use of the ESPA ring and innovative sourcing of other spacecraft components. Usually, the ESPA ring is used as a platform to hold six small deployable satellites; for LCROSS, it became the backbone of the satellite, a first for the ring. LCROSS also took advantage of commercially available instruments and used many of the already-flight-verified components used on [[Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter|LRO]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/spacecraft/Spacecraft1.html|title=NASA - LCROSS Spacecraft|website=www.nasa.gov|language=en|access-date=January 16, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:LCROSS LRO being prepared for fairing installation.jpg|thumb|LRO (top, silver) and LCROSS (bottom, gold) prepared for fairing]]
LCROSS is managed by NASA's ARC and was built by [[Northrop Grumman]]. The LCROSS preliminary design review was completed on September 8, 2006. The LCROSS mission passed its Mission Confirmation Review on February 2, 2007,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/feb/HQ_0721_LCROSS.html|title=NASA Moon-Impactor Mission Passes Major Review|publisher=www.nasa.gov|date=February 2, 2007}}</ref> and its Critical Design Review on February 22, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.moondaily.com/reports/Lunar_Crater_Observation_and_Sensing_Satellite_Passes_Critical_Design_Review_999.html|title=Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite Passes Critical Design Review|publisher=Moondaily.com|date=March 2, 2007}}</ref>
After assembly and testing at Ames, the instrument payload, provided by Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0803/03ecliptic/ |title= Ecliptic provides key elements of LCROSS payload |publisher= www.spaceflightnow.com|date=March 3, 2008}}</ref> was shipped to Northrop Grumman on January 14, 2008, for integration with the spacecraft.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2008/08_03AR.html |title= NASA's Quest to Find Water on the Moon Moves Closer to Launch |publisher=NASA |date=January 14, 2008 |access-date=February 10, 2008 |author=Jonas Dino}}</ref> LCROSS passed its review on February 12, 2009.

===Instruments===
The LCROSS Shepherding Spacecraft science instrument payload, provided by NASA's ARC, consisted of a total of nine instruments: one visible, two near infrared, and two mid-infrared cameras; one visible and two near-infrared spectrometers; and a photometer. A data handling unit (DHU) collected the information from each instrument for transmission back to LCROSS Mission Control. Because of the schedule and budget constraints, LCROSS took advantage of rugged, commercially available components. The individual instruments went through a rigorous testing cycle that simulated launch and flight conditions, identifying design weaknesses and necessary modifications for use in space, at which point the manufacturers were allowed to modify their designs.<ref name="PressKit"/>

==Results==
<!-- The project has collected data and produced results that are not limited to the impact. -->The impact was not as visually prominent as had been anticipated. Project manager Dan Andrews believed that this was due to pre-crash simulations that exaggerated the plume's prominence.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} Because of data bandwidth issues, the exposures were kept short, which made the plume difficult to see in the images in the visible spectra. This resulted in the need for image processing to increase clarity. The infrared camera also captured a thermal signature of the booster's impact.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=lcross-strikes-earths-moon-as-other-2009-10-09 |date=October 9, 2009 |title=LCROSS strikes Earth's moon as other moons continue to puzzle: Fourth dispatch from the annual planets meeting |first=George |last=Musser |magazine=Scientific American |quote=Shortly before the spacecraft itself hit, word came through that the infrared camera had indeed seen a thermal signature of the booster's crater.}}</ref>

===Presence of water===
On November 13, 2009, NASA reported that multiple lines of evidence show water was present in both the high-angle vapor plume and the ejecta curtain created by the LCROSS Centaur impact. {{As of|2009|11}}, the concentration and distribution of water and other substances required more analysis.<ref name=spectralResult/> Additional confirmation came from an emission in the ultraviolet spectrum that was attributed to [[hydroxyl]] fragments, a product from the break-up of water by sunlight.<ref name=spectralResult/>
Analysis of the spectra indicate that a reasonable estimate of the concentration of water in the frozen regolith is on the order of one percent.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/2009-11-14/news/17180950_1_crater-vapor-water |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |first=David |last=Perlman |title=NASA chooses moon crater for crash of rocket |date=November 14, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325182007/http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-11-14/news/17180950_1_crater-vapor-water |archive-date=March 25, 2010 }}</ref> Evidence from other missions suggests that this may have been a relatively dry spot, as thick deposits of relatively pure ice appear to present themselves in other craters.<ref>[https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/Mini-RF/multimedia/feature_ice_like_deposits.html NASA - NASA Radar Finds Ice Deposits at Moon's North Pole<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> A later, more definitive, analysis found the concentration of water to be "5.6 ± 2.9% by mass."<ref name="Colaprete2010">{{cite journal
|author1=Colaprete, A. |author2=Schultz, P. |author3=Heldmann, J. |author4=Wooden, D. |author5=Shirley, M. |author6=Ennico, K. |author7=Hermalyn, B. |author8=Marshall, W |author9=Ricco, A. |author10=Elphic, R. C. |author11=Goldstein, D. |author12=Summy, D. |author13=Bart, G. D. |author14=Asphaug, E. |author15=Korycansky, D. |author16=Landis, D. |author17=Sollitt, L. |title=Detection of Water in the LCROSS Ejecta Plume
|journal=Science|date=October 22, 2010|volume=330
|issue=6003
|pmid=20966242|pages=463–468
|doi=10.1126/science.1186986
|bibcode=2010Sci...330..463C
|s2cid=206525375 }}</ref> On August 20, 2018, NASA confirmed ice on the surface at the Moon's poles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2018-195&rn=news.xml&rst=7218|title=Ice Confirmed at the Moon's Poles|website=NASA/JPL|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>

===Imagery===
{{Gallery
|title=LCROSS lunar swingby photos (June 23, 2009)<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/multimedia2/images/LCROSS_lunar_swingby.html |title= Visible light camera image during lunar swingby |publisher=[[NASA]] |date=June 23, 2009 |access-date=August 10, 2009}}</ref>
|width=240
|File:LCROSS_visible_light_camera_image_during_lunar_swingby.jpg|One of the first images from the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) using the visible light camera during the swingby of the Moon. LCROSS has nine science instruments that collect different types of data which are complementary to each other.
|File:Mid infrared camera image of the moon by LCROSS.jpg|An infrared camera image of the Moon taken with the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mid-infrared camera. This is the first infrared image ever taken of the far side of the Moon.
|File:Visible light camera image of the Moon by LCROSS.jpg|Another visible light camera image of the Moon taken by the LCROSS spacecraft during lunar swingby
}}
{{Gallery
|title=LCROSS Centaur separation photos (Impact - 9hrs 40min, October 9, 2009)<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/lcross-centaur-separation |title= LCROSS Centaur Separation |publisher= [[NASA]] |date= October 9, 2009 |access-date= October 13, 2009 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091011033842/http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/lcross-centaur-separation/ |archive-date= October 11, 2009 }}</ref>
|width=240
|File:Centaur-separation.jpg|Near infrared image of the LCROSS Centaur separation as seen from the LCROSS Shepherding Spacecraft
|File:MIR-Centaur-LCROSS-separation.jpg|Mid infrared (false color) image of the LCROSS Centaur separation (red->hot, blue->cold)
|File:Lcross-centaur-separation-STK-view.jpg|STK ([[Satellite Tool Kit]]) image of the LCROSS spacecraft after Centaur separation
}}
{{Gallery
|title=Centaur/LCROSS impact photos (11:31 UTC October 9, 2009)<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/multimedia/index.html |title= Visible light camera image during lunar swingby |publisher=[[NASA]] |date=October 9, 2009 |access-date=October 13, 2009}}</ref>
|width=240
|File:LCROSS-impact-NIR-sodiumflash-detection.jpg|Image taken of the Centaur upper stage impact in the Cabeus crater near the south pole of the Moon. The images were taken by the LCROSS Shepherding Spacecraft.
|File:Lcross-impact-site-seen-from-LRO-orbit.jpg|Locations of the Diviner LCROSS impact swaths overlain on a grayscale daytime thermal map of the Moon’s south polar region. Diviner data were used to help select the final LCROSS impact site inside Cabeus Crater, which sampled an extremely cold region in permanent shadow that can serve as an effective cold trap for water ice and other frozen volatiles.
|File:Lcross-main-impact-detail.jpg|Preliminary, uncalibrated LRO/Diviner thermal maps of the Centaur/LCROSS impact site acquired two hours before the impact, and 90 seconds after the impact. The thermal signature of the impact was clearly detected in all four Diviner thermal mapping channels.
}}

==Awards==
LCROSS has received numerous awards for its technical, managerial, and scientific accomplishments.
*2010: [[Northrop Grumman]] Northrop Grumman Corporate 2010 Award for Excellence (Northrop Grumman team){{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
*2010: [[Popular Mechanics]] magazine's 2010 Breakthrough Award for innovation in science and technology.<ref>[https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/oct/HQ_10-247_LCROSS_Award.html NASA - NASA'S LCROSS Wins 2010 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*2010: [[NASA]] Honor Award – Group Achievement, (LCROSS Science Team)
*2010: [[NASA]] Honor Award – Group Achievement, (LCROSS Mission Operations Team)
*2010: [[NASA]] Honor Award – Group Achievement, for "outstanding professionalism, innovation in outreach and education, and for integrating outreach for two missions into one launch." (LRO/LCROSS/LPRP EPO teams)
*2010: [[NASA]] Honor Award - Exceptional Achievement Medal, (Rusty Hunt)
*2010: [[NASA]] Honor Award - Outstanding Leadership Medal, (Dan Andrews & Tony Colaprete)
*2010: [[NASA]] Honor Award - Group Achievement, LCROSS Science and Payload Team
*2010: [[NASA]] Ames Honor Award, category "Exceptional Achievement" (Ken Galal)
*2010: [[Northrop Grumman]] AS Sector President's Award, category "Operational Excellence" (Northrop Grumman team)
*2010: Aviation Week Laureate Award Nominee, Category "Space"<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=CELEBRATING THE BEST 53rd Annual Awards |magazine= Aviation Week|publisher= Penton Media
|date= January 11, 2010}}</ref>
*2010: [[Space Foundation]] "John L. 'Jack' Swigert Jr., Award for Space Exploration"<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120701101421/http://2010.nationalspacesymposium.org/media/press-releases/space-foundation-honors-lcross-mission-with-john-l-jack-swigert-jr-award-for-sp Space Foundation Honors LCROSS Mission Team with John L. "Jack" Swigert, Jr., Award for Space Exploration {{!}}National Space Symposium<!-- Bot generated title -->]}}</ref>
*2010: National Space Society "Space Pioneer Award" 2009, Category "Science and Engineering"
*2010: [[Northrop Grumman]] "Distinguished Engineering Project Achievement Award", 55th Annual Engineering Council{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
*2010: [[NASA]] OCE Systems Engineering Award, NASA Office of Chief Engineer<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/features/2010/OCE_award.html |title=NASA - 2010 Systems Engineering Excellence Award |website=www.nasa.gov |language=en |access-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref>
*2010: [[Aviation Week]] 2009 Program Excellence Award, Category "System Level Production & Sustainment"<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/11/05/idUS147695+05-Nov-2009+GNW20091105 Photo Release -- Northrop Grumman-built LCROSS Satellite Wins 2009 Aviation Week Program Excellence Award] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004110932/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/11/05/idUS147695+05-Nov-2009+GNW20091105 |date=October 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aviation-week-program-excellence-awards-honor-top-aerospace-and-defense-programs-and-leadership-69409707.html AVIATION WEEK Program Excellence Awards Honor Top Aerospace and Defense Programs and Leadership]</ref>
*2009: [[Northrop Grumman]] Technical Services' "Award for Excellence": 2009, (LCROSS team)
*2009: [[NASA]] Ames Honor Award, category "team" (LCROSS Team)<ref name="AmesHonorAward">{{cite web |url=https://history.arc.nasa.gov/hist_pdfs/awards/aha.pdf |title=NASA Ames Honor Awards |work=NASA Ames History Office |publisher=NASA |access-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref>
*2009: [[NASA]] Ames Honor Award, category "Engineering" (Tom Luzod)<ref name="AmesHonorAward"/>
*2009: [[NASA]] Honor Award - Exceptional Achievement Medal, (Dan Andrews){{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
*2009: [[NASA]] Honor Award - Group Achievement, LCROSS Project Team{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
*2009: [[NASA]] Systems Engineering Excellence Award, (Darin Foreman, Bob Barber){{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
*2008: ILEWG International Lunar Exploration "Technology Award", for the development of advanced technologies within hard constraints of short time and cost<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sci.esa.int/ilewg/43707-international-lunar-exploration-awards-2008/|title=International Lunar Exploration Awards 2008: who are the winners?|website=sci.esa.int|language=en-GB|access-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref>
*2008: [[NASA]] Ames Honor Award, category "Engineering" (Bob Barber)<ref name="AmesHonorAward"/>
*2008: [[Northrop Grumman]] "Mission Excellence" Award, LCROSS Spacecraft Team{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
*2007: [[NASA]] Ames Honor Award - Group Achievement, Successful completion of CDR{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
*2006: [[NASA]] Ames Honor Award, category "Project Management" (Dan Andrews)<ref name="AmesHonorAward"/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Solar System|Spaceflight}}
*[[List of artificial objects on the Moon]]
*[[List of missions to the Moon]]
*[[Lunar water]]
*[[Project A119]] a higher-powered lunar excavator, a [[nuclear explosive device]] mission of the 1950s, never attempted

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==External resources==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/main/index.html NASA - LCROSS (Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite)], nasa.gov
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091213142507/http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/ Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite at NASA Ames Research Center], lcross.arc.nasa.gov
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160415103936/https://blogs.nasa.gov/lcrossfdblog/ LCROSS Flight Director's Blog] on blogs.nasa.gov
*{{YouTube|MEV4IoUh_Gk|NASA's Post-Impact News Conference}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090923004250/http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/air_space/4317333.html Why NASA Should Bomb the Moon to Find Water: Analysis, 2009-09-11, ''Popular Mechanics''], popularmechanics.com
*{{cite journal |url= https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1186986 |title= Detection of Water in the LCROSS Ejecta Plume |journal= Science |volume= 330 |issue= 6003 |pages= 463–468 |author= Anthony Colaprete |date= October 22, 2010|doi=10.1126/science.1186986|bibcode= 2010Sci...330..463C |pmid= 20966242|s2cid= 206525375 |url-access= subscription }}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sKvmDzXKcs] Anthony Colaprete's public lecture on the mission in the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series
*{{cite web |url= https://www.universetoday.com/42274/guide-to-seeing-the-lcross-lunar-impact/ |title= Guide to Seeing the LCROSS Lunar Impact |author= Nancy Atkinson |work= [[Universe Today]] |date= October 7, 2009}}
*[https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1217&context=smallsat] LCROSS Lunar Impactor - Lessons Learned from a Small Satellite Mission—Dan Andrews (NASA LCROSS Program Director) (PDF)

{{Moon spacecraft}}
{{NASA space program}}
{{Solar System probes}}
{{Orbital launches in 2009}}

[[Category:Destroyed space probes]]
[[Category:Impactor spacecraft]]
[[Category:Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter]]
[[Category:Missions to the Moon]]
[[Category:NASA space probes]]
[[Category:Space probes launched in 2009]]
[[Category:Spacecraft that impacted the Moon]]
[[Category:2009 on the Moon]]