LCROSS will search for water ice by sending its spent upper-stage Centaur rocket to impact the permanently shadowed polar crater. The satellite will fly into the plume of dust left by the impact and measure the properties before also colliding with the lunar surface.
The LCROSS team selected Cabeus A (New Update Sept 29 Cabeus A has been canceled, New target is crater Cabeus)based on a set of conditions that include proper debris plume illumination for visibility from Earth, a high concentration of hydrogen,
and mature crater features such as a flat floor, gentle slopes and the absence of large boulders
LCROSS carries no ordinances, no explosives.It is a kinetic impactor,energy creates 20m crater w/in 40km+ existing crater.LCROSS will search for water ice by sending its spent upper-stage Centaur rocket to impact the permanently shadowed polar crater.
LCROSS Overview and watch the Video.Download the song "Water on the Moon" written by LCROSS Deputy Project Manager John Marmie! Performed by John Marmie and Jeff Petro.
