LRO has several instruments that will help NASA characterize the moon's surface. The powerful equipment will bring the moon into sharper focus and reveal new insights about the celestial body nearest Earth. The LRO payload, comprised of six instruments and one technology demonstration, will provide key data sets to enable a human return to the moon.
LRO Views of the South Lunar Pole
INFRARED | Diviner Lunar Radiometer ExperimentThe Diviner Lunar Radiometer (DLRE) provides orbital thermal mapping measurements, giving detailed information about surface and subsurface temperatures (identifying cold traps and potential ice deposits), as well as landing hazards such as rough terrain or rocks.
ULTRAVIOLET | Lyman Alpha Mapping ProjectThe Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) maps the entire lunar surface in the far ultraviolet. LAMP also searches for surface ice and frost in the polar regions and provide images of permanently shadowed regions illuminated only by starlight.
NEUTRONS | Lunar Exploration Neutron DetectorThe Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) creates high resolution hydrogen distribution maps and provides information about the lunar radiation environment. LEND is used to search for evidence of water ice on the Moon's surface, and provides space radiation environment measurements useful for future human exploration.
ELEVATION | Lunar Orbiter Laser AltimeterThe Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) measures landing site slopes, lunar surface roughness, and generate a high resolution 3D map of the Moon. LOLA also identifies the Moon's permanently illuminated and permanently shadowed areas by analyzing Lunar surface elevations.
SUNLIGHT | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter CameraThe Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) retrieves high resolution black and white images of the lunar surface, capturing images of the lunar poles with resolutions down to 1m, and imaging the lunar surface in color and ultraviolet. These images provide knowledge of polar illumination conditions, identify potential resources & hazards, and enable safe landing site selection.
RADAR | Mini-RF Technology DemonstrationThe Mini-RF technology demonstration's primary goal is to search for subsurface water ice deposits. In addition, Mini-RF will take high-resolution imagery of permanently-shadowed regions.