Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera

Christian N. Alf

Mentor: Mark S. Robinson

School of Earth and Space Exploration

Arizona State University

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

• Mission Overview– Launches in late 2008– First mission in NASA’s plan to

return to the moon– Seven Instruments

• LROC: Global imaging• LOLA: Global topography• LEND: Neutron flux (water ice)• DLRE: Temp. of lunar surface• LAMP: Search for surface ices in

polar regions• CRaTER: Lunar radiation

environment• Mini-RF: SAR (image

permanently shadowed areas)

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera

• Primary Goals– Study meter-scale features– Landing site selection– Image lunar poles

• Areas of permanent shadow

• Other Goals– Stereo imaging for topography– Multispectral imaging for mineralogy and surface

composition– Assess current impact hazards

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera

• Cameras– 2 Narrow Angle Cameras (NAC)

• 0.5 meter per pixel resolution• Stereo Images• Look for future landing sites

– Wide Angle Camera (WAC)• 100 meter per pixel resolution• Multispectral Images

Apollo Metric Image Scans

• Images from Apollo 15,16, and 17– Full resolution scans– Available to public– http://apollo.sese.asu.edu/

Apollo Metric Image Scans

Apollo Metric Image Scans

• Crater Counting– Compare with LROC data

• Impact rates over last 40 years• Average crater size• Impact locations• Crater erosion

Apollo Metric Image Scans

Lunar Geologic History Map

• Create a digital version of the Wilhelms’ Geologic History of the Moon– Aide scientists in finding Regions of

Interest (ROIs)– Proof of concept

• Process demonstration

Lunar Geologic History Map

Thank You