The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) kicks off NASA's search for the next lunar landing site and manned mission to the moon andthen to travel to Mars and beyond, supporting the extension ofhuman presence in the solar system.

LRO will launch November 2008 with the objectives to finding safe landing sites,locate potential resources, characterize the radiation environment, and shake down new technology. LRO will create the most accurate and comprehensive topographic maps ofthe lunar surface to...