FINAL TARGET -- Cabeus proper!

[XB70man]

It was just announced that the final targeting is Cabeus proper, not
Cabeus A, A1 or Cabeus B. The details of the selection will be made
public soon. If you scan the neutron data at:
http://apps.nasa.gov/lcross/observations/files/6/ -- look for the
red-orange region just above the "S" in Cabeus and that is the basic
target region.

Details to follow. The LCROSS Team is analyzing the Earth-view
implications of this new target. It is close to the original, and the
crater is certainly within view of Earth at the time of impact -- just
a bit closer to the limb.

Stay tuned for further details.



Rick Baldridge

[canopus56]

On Sep 28, 2:31 pm, XB70man <rickbaldri...@comcast.net> wrote:
> It was just announced that the final targeting is Cabeus proper, not
> Cabeus A, A1 or Cabeus B.  The details of the selection will be made
> public soon.  If you scan the neutron data at:http://apps.nasa.gov/lcross/observations/files/6/  -- look for the
> red-orange region just above the "S" in Cabeus and that is the basic

> target region. <snip> Rick Baldridge

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NASA's LCROSS Mission Changes Impact Crater
Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:26:48 PM MDT
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/main/index.html

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing
Satellite mission (LCROSS) based on new analysis of available lunar
data, has shifted the target crater from Cabeus A to Cabeus (proper).

The decision was based on continued evaluation of all available data
and consultation/input from members of the LCROSS Science Team and the
scientific community, including impact experts, ground and space based
observers, and observations from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO),
Lunar Prospector (LP), Chandrayaan-1 and JAXA's Kaguya spacecraft.
This decision was prompted by the current best understanding of
hydrogen concentrations in the Cabeus region, including cross-
correlation between the latest LRO results and LP data sets.

The general consensus of lunar experts led by the LCROSS science team
is that Cabeus shows, with the greatest level of certainty, the
highest hydrogen concentrations at the south pole. Further
consideration of the most current terrain models provided by JAXA's
Kaguya spacecraft and the LRO Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) was
important in the decision process.The models show a small valley in an
otherwise tall Cabeus perimeter ridge, which will allow for sunlight
to illuminate the ejecta cloud on Oct. 9, and much sooner than
previously estimated for Cabeus. While the ejecta does have to fly to
higher elevations to be observed by Earth assets, a shadow cast by a
large hill along the Cabeus ridge, provides an excellent, high-
contrast, back drop for ejecta and vapor measurements.

The LCROSS team concluded that Cabeus provided the best chance for
meeting its mission goals. The team critically assessed and
successfully advocated for the change with the Lunar Precursor Robotic
Program (LPRP) office. The change in impact crater was factored into
LCROSS' most recent Trajectory Correction Maneuver, TCM7.

During the last days of the mission, the LCROSS team will continue to
refine the exact point of impact within Cabeus crater to avoid rough
spots, and to maximize solar illumination of the debris plume and
Earth observations.

===================