NASA has released a series of photographs of the lunar surface, captured by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The images were obtained on April 7, 2026, at 17:54 Universal Time. The observations focused on two distinct lunar craters: Vavilov and Hertzsprung.
The Vavilov crater measures 400 meters in width and 100 meters in depth. The Hertzsprung crater is approximately 100 meters wide and 100 meters deep. These photographs were taken prior to the scheduled launch of the Artemis II mission.
Artemis II is planned for launch on April 6, 2026, marking the beginning of the crewed lunar exploration program. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched in 2009, has been continuously surveying the Moon since its arrival in orbit. The data collected by the orbiter provides valuable information for future lunar missions and scientific research.
These newly released images contribute to the ongoing efforts to map and understand the lunar landscape.
