Space

NASA's Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) and its Centaur booster rocket are on course to crash into the moon in this artist's illustration released October 9, 2009. On final approach, the shepherding spacecraft and Centaur will separate. The Centaur will be the primary impactor and will create a debris plume that will rise about 6.2 miles (10 km) above the lunar surface. Following four minutes behind, the shepherding spacecraft will fly through the debris plume, collect and relay data back to Earth before impacting the lunar surface and creating a second debris plume. REUTERS/NASA/Handout (UNITED STATES SCI TECH) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS