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In 2009, NASA

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launched the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a bold mission
to map our Moon in such detail that future crewed

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and robotic missions could not only land safely, but also go

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to scientifically important locations.

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With the start of the Artemis missions,

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the future is now, as NASA prepares
to send humans to the lunar South Pole.

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This region is of particular scientific interest
because it features areas of extended

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sunlit illumination and permanent shadow, is known to contain
resources like water

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and sits on the rim of the oldest impact crater
in the Earth-Moon system.

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Over the years, LRO’s suite of scientific instruments
has delivered as promised,

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giving us incredible new views and data on this terrain -

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helping us build a road map for exploration.

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So follow this series as we take a look at how the LRO
mission is laying the groundwork for Artemis science.

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One of the instruments on LRO

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is the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter, or LOLA.

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It provides topographic data on the lunar surface -

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revealing slopes and surface roughness,

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helping us create models of lunar gravity
and surface brightness,

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as well as high resolution 3D maps of the Moon.

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In this visualization,
the colors correspond to different elevations

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found amongst the craters
and mountains of the South Pole region.

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Having accurate elevation data

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is essential for landing site selection, surface navigation,

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identifying areas where resources can be found,

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and planning the design of future lunar infrastructure.

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In addition, studying the elevation and topography
of the Moon contributes to scientific research

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about its geological history,
formation processes, and ongoing changes.

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By analyzing elevation data,
scientists can learn more about the Moon's

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past volcanic activity,
impact history, and tectonic processes.

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The global terrain mapping by LOLA

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also makes it possible to simulate sunlight and shadow
on the Moon

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at any date in the past or future.

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Here we see a visualization of the region in 2028,

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depicting the changes in shadowing in two hour intervals
over the course of the year.

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This information is vital to Artemis for planning
exploration endeavors, since the low sun angles

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and terrain of the South Pole produce
a uniquely challenging lighting environment.

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In the years since LRO’s launch,

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there have been over 60,000 orbits of the spacecraft

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and 10 billion laser shots at the lunar surface -
making LOLA's data a vital resource

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for both human and robotic explorers
that arrive at the South Pole in the coming years.

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It's one piece in how LRO is helping
NASA usher in a new generation of lunar science.