Moon ProbeA probe was launched from the Cape Canaveral to study the Moon’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO).

As reported at the American Space Agency NASA, the launch of the vehicle Atlas V, on board of which, in addition to LRO, there is another vehicle for exploration of the Moon – Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS), was made on 19 June.

Lunar probe was launched nearly a half hour later, than the scheduled time. As told representatives of NASA, the delay was related to adverse weather conditions.

Note, that NASA originally planned to launch the probe on June 17, but the start was postponed due to changes in the date of launch shuttle «Endeavour». Notably, the «Endeavour» that day has not started due to leakage of liquid hydrogen from the external fuel tank. This has been a second unsuccessful attempt of shuttle launch, this month. On June 13 Launch of «Endeavour» was also canceled for similar reasons.

As conceived by NASA, machines will explore geology and mineralogy of natural satellite of Earth, a detailed three-dimensional maps of the lunar surface, as well as search of water ice deposits, that might exist in lunar polar craters. In addition, LRO will explore the potential impact of space radiation on people and finding suitable sites for future settlement.

LRO and LCROSS will be treated to the lunar orbit for four months, after which a second device, along with stage Atlas V will disconnect from LRO and fall on the lunar surface. Remaining in orbit LRO will oversee the process itself and the result of the fall.