In January 2004 the President of the United States decided to advance U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests through a robust space exploration program that integrates human and robotic exploration activities. This decision was documented by President's Space Exploration Policy Directive (NPSD31), signed into effect on January 2004. Subsequent to these decisions, NASA established an independent advisory group entitled the LRO ORDT (Objectives/Requirements Definition Team) that met in March to define the specific objectives for the 2008 mission, the first of a series of missions to the moon. This first mission is dedicated to obtaining the applied science/engineering measurements needed for future exploration. To maximize the data return for this mission, NASA intends to solicit and competitively select the measurement investigations for the payload that best meet the objectives of this mission. The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has been designated by NASA to lead this mission and will provide both the Spacecraft and the Launch Services for the mission (these will not be competed).
 
This website has been developed to facilitate the widespread dissemination of specific information about this mission and to provide other material to assist prospective proposers. For example, at the above "Announcement" link, prospective proposers can down load specific details known at this time about the solicitation for the 2008 mission entitled "Notice of Intent to Release a Solicitation for NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Investigations March 2004". Other links on this page guide users to additional useful sites such as the "Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)Acquisition Library, FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) and etc.