// deep space · 2011

GRAIL-B

Former NASA lunar orbiter. GRAIL-B was launched on September 10, 2011 aboard a Delta 7920H from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (Sep 11, 2011).

COSPAR 2011-046BNORAD 37802United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Flow
Common name: GRAIL-B
Payload designation: GRAIL B
International designator: 2011-046B
NORAD catalog number: 37802
GCAT identifier: S37802
UN registration: ST/SG/SER.E/632

Mission

Mission type: Deep space
Use: Civil government
Program: Discovery
Owner: JPL
Country: United States
Builder: Lockheed Martin Space Systems (Denver), Astronautics Operations
Platform (bus): GRAIL

Launch

Date: September 10, 2011 · 13:08 UTC
Launch record: 2011-046Success
Rocket: Delta 7920H
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad SLC17B

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): CLO
Perigee: 80 km
Apogee: 1,240,609 km
Inclination: 29.47°
Status: Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date: September 11, 2011
Last known active: Dec 17, 2012
End of operations: Dec 17, 2012

Size

Mass: 307 kg
Dry mass: 201 kg
Length: 1.1 m
Diameter: 0.80 m
Span: 1.1 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry: D00910
Final central body: Luna
Phase start: December 31, 2011
Phase outcome: Entered orbit around the target · January 1, 2012
Destination: Luna

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
Sep 11, 2011	Earth	Sep 30, 2011	Escaped to another body	SEL1
Sep 30, 2011	SEL1	Nov 4, 2011	Escaped to another body	Earth
Nov 4, 2011	Earth	Dec 31, 2011	Escaped to another body	Luna
Jan 1, 2012	Luna	Dec 17, 2012	Deorbited	Luna

Landings and impacts

World	Type	Result	Touchdown	Site	Coordinates
Luna	Orbiter	Targeted impact	Dec 17, 2012	Sally K Ride Impact Site	75.62, -26.63

Launched together

GRAIL-ADeep space · JPL

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q28472964 (CC0).