Weekend Edition / Thu-Mon 22-26 Nov 2012

Laser Calibration Keeps LRO In Perfect Position

University Of California Physicist Tom Murphy Sending Laser Signal From Apache Point Observatory NM, USA To Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter; Laser Must Hit Orbiter 362,000km Away, Travelling At Roughly 5,000km/h; Once Fired Laser Will Hit Spacecraft 1.25 Seconds Later; LRO Constantly Tugged By Irregularities On Lunar Surface; Periodic Calibration Tests Ensure LRO In Ideal Position To Map Surface Of Luna & Study Its Radiation

Image Credit: NASA, UCSD