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// deep space · 2009

LCROSS

NASA monitoring spacecraft and lunar impactor. LCROSS was launched on June 18, 2009 aboard a Atlas V 401 from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left for deep space attached to another object (Jun 19, 2009).

COSPAR 2009-031BNORAD 35316United States

Identity

Name in GCAT
LCROSS Shepherding S/C
Common name
LCROSS
Payload designation
S-S/C
International designator
2009-031B
NORAD catalog number
35316
GCAT identifier
S35316
UN registration
ST/SG/SER.E/573

Mission

Mission type
Deep space
Use
Civil government
Program
NASA Lunar
Owner
ARC
Country
United States
Builder
Northrop Grummann Aerospace Systems
Platform (bus)
ESPA/EagleSat

Launch

Date
June 18, 2009 · 21:32 UTC
Launch record
2009-031Success
Spaceport
Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad SLC41

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
CLO
Perigee
133 km
Apogee
348,640 km
Inclination
28.00°
Status
Left for deep space attached to another object
Status date
June 19, 2009
Last known active
Oct 9, 2009
End of operations
Oct 9, 2009

Size

Mass
891 kg
Dry mass
585 kg
Length
2.0 m
Diameter
2.60 m
Span
3.3 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry
D00886
Final central body
Luna
Phase start
June 22, 2009
Phase outcome
Escaped to another body, attached · June 24, 2009
Destination
Earth

Flight phases

FromCentral bodyEndedOutcomeNext
Jun 19, 2009EarthJun 22, 2009Escaped to another body, attachedLuna
Jun 24, 2009EarthOct 8, 2009Escaped to another body, attachedLuna
Oct 8, 2009LunaOct 9, 2009Released—
Oct 9, 2009LunaOct 9, 2009Reentered (orbital decay)Luna

Landings and impacts

WorldTypeResultTouchdownSiteCoordinates
LunaImpactorTargeted impactOct 9, 2009—-84.73, -49.36

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q459399 (CC0).