1 00:00:03,233 --> 00:00:04,833 In 2009, NASA 2 00:00:04,833 --> 00:00:10,833 launched the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a bold mission to map our Moon in such detail that future crewed 3 00:00:10,833 --> 00:00:14,133 and robotic missions could not only land safely, but also go 4 00:00:14,133 --> 00:00:17,333 to scientifically important locations. 5 00:00:17,333 --> 00:00:19,166 With the start of the Artemis missions, 6 00:00:19,166 --> 00:00:23,966 the future is now, as NASA prepares to send humans to the lunar South Pole. 7 00:00:23,966 --> 00:00:28,366 This region is of particular scientific interest because it features areas of extended 8 00:00:28,366 --> 00:00:33,466 sunlit illumination and permanent shadow, is known to contain resources like water 9 00:00:33,466 --> 00:00:37,033 and sits on the rim of the oldest impact crater in the Earth-Moon system. 10 00:00:37,933 --> 00:00:42,500 Over the years, LRO’s suite of scientific instruments has delivered as promised, 11 00:00:42,500 --> 00:00:45,766 giving us incredible new views and data on this terrain - 12 00:00:45,766 --> 00:00:48,800 helping us build a road map for exploration. 13 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:54,500 So follow this series as we take a look at how the LRO mission is laying the groundwork for Artemis science. 14 00:01:00,100 --> 00:01:01,933 One of the instruments on LRO 15 00:01:01,933 --> 00:01:05,366 is the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter, or LOLA. 16 00:01:05,366 --> 00:01:08,533 It provides topographic data on the lunar surface - 17 00:01:08,533 --> 00:01:10,933 revealing slopes and surface roughness, 18 00:01:10,933 --> 00:01:14,200 helping us create models of lunar gravity and surface brightness, 19 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:17,200 as well as high resolution 3D maps of the Moon. 20 00:01:19,233 --> 00:01:22,933 In this visualization, the colors correspond to different elevations 21 00:01:22,933 --> 00:01:27,733 found amongst the craters and mountains of the South Pole region. 22 00:01:27,733 --> 00:01:29,466 Having accurate elevation data 23 00:01:29,466 --> 00:01:33,233 is essential for landing site selection, surface navigation, 24 00:01:33,233 --> 00:01:36,066 identifying areas where resources can be found, 25 00:01:36,066 --> 00:01:39,933 and planning the design of future lunar infrastructure. 26 00:01:39,933 --> 00:01:44,733 In addition, studying the elevation and topography of the Moon contributes to scientific research 27 00:01:44,733 --> 00:01:49,700 about its geological history, formation processes, and ongoing changes. 28 00:01:49,700 --> 00:01:53,133 By analyzing elevation data, scientists can learn more about the Moon's 29 00:01:53,133 --> 00:01:58,066 past volcanic activity, impact history, and tectonic processes. 30 00:02:00,300 --> 00:02:02,300 The global terrain mapping by LOLA 31 00:02:02,300 --> 00:02:05,566 also makes it possible to simulate sunlight and shadow on the Moon 32 00:02:05,566 --> 00:02:08,533 at any date in the past or future. 33 00:02:08,533 --> 00:02:12,133 Here we see a visualization of the region in 2028, 34 00:02:12,133 --> 00:02:16,866 depicting the changes in shadowing in two hour intervals over the course of the year. 35 00:02:16,866 --> 00:02:21,900 This information is vital to Artemis for planning exploration endeavors, since the low sun angles 36 00:02:21,900 --> 00:02:27,066 and terrain of the South Pole produce a uniquely challenging lighting environment. 37 00:02:27,066 --> 00:02:28,833 In the years since LRO’s launch, 38 00:02:28,833 --> 00:02:31,733 there have been over 60,000 orbits of the spacecraft 39 00:02:31,733 --> 00:02:36,700 and 10 billion laser shots at the lunar surface - making LOLA's data a vital resource 40 00:02:36,700 --> 00:02:42,233 for both human and robotic explorers that arrive at the South Pole in the coming years. 41 00:02:42,233 --> 00:02:47,633 It's one piece in how LRO is helping NASA usher in a new generation of lunar science.