LRO (35315)

COSPAR: 2009-031A | Alt Name: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
DECAYED

Image
LRO Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

June 18, 2009

Launch Pad

SLC41

Launch Vehicle

Atlas V 401

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

35315

International Designator

2009-031A

Decay Date

Unknown

Basic Satellite Info

Name

LRO

Alternative Name

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

GSFC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), designated by NORAD as 35315 and identified as 2009-031A, is a US satellite managed by GSFC. Launched on June 18, 2009, from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station SLC41 pad using an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle, LRO was designed to orbit the moon. It measures approximately 3.9 meters in length with a diameter of 2.6 meters and a span of 6 meters. The satellite has a dry mass of 1018 kilograms and was launched with a total mass of 1916 kilograms. Equipped with instruments such as LOLA, LROC, LEND, Diviner, LAMP, and CRaTER, LRO is powered by deployable solar arrays and batteries. Its mission, originally planned for two years, has been extended beyond its initial lifetime, making it a significant asset in lunar exploration.
Physical Characteristics

Length

3.9

Diameter

2.6

Span

6

Dry Mass

1018

Launch Mass

1916

Shape

Box + Pan + Ant

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

LRO

Purpose

Lunar orbiter

Mission

Lunar orbiter

Manufacturer

GSFC

Life Expectancy

2 years (planned), still active

Bus

LRO

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

AOCS

Equipment

LOLA, LROC, LEND, Diviner, LAMP, CRaTER

Power System

Deployable solar array, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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