GREENBELT, Md. - NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter was loaded on a truck Wednesday for a two-day trip to Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Launch is targeted for April 24. The spacecraft recently completed a series of tests and was subjected to temperatures it will experience as it orbits the moon. LRO will spend at least one year in a low polar orbit on its primary exploration mission, with the possibility of three more years to collect additional detailed scientific information about the moon and its environment. (Source: NASA, 02/11/09) Gulf Coast note: Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans and Stennis Space Center in Mississippi are involved in the Constellation Program, the return of astronauts to the moon and beyond
