This initiative launched robotic orbiters and impactors to gather topographical, radiation, and resource data ahead of future human exploration. The program focused on identifying safe landing sites and locating potential water ice deposits in permanently shadowed craters. It laid the technical groundwork for subsequent crewed lunar architectures.
The data sets from LPRP instruments are still being used to evaluate landing sites for the new lander.
Related terms
LRO
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is a robotic spacecraft mapping the Moon's surface.
LCROSS
The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite was a robotic spacecraft designed to detect water on the Moon.
Artemis
The crewed spaceflight program led by the United States to return astronauts to the Moon and establish a sustainable lunar presence.