Lunokhod 1 Reflector Returns Signal After 40 Years as LRO Images Pinpointed Its Site
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · Jun 26
Lunokhod 1 Reflector Returns Signal After 40 Years as LRO Images Pinpointed Its Site
1 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · Jun 26
Summary
APOLLO in April 2010 received laser returns from Lunokhod 1, confirming the Soviet rover’s lunar reflector still worked after nearly 40 years of effective silence.
LRO images from March 2010 narrowed the rover’s position to about 100 meters, solving the targeting problem that had kept the reflector unusable despite surviving on the Moon since 1970.
The recovered reflector was reported in excellent condition, producing a signal about four times stronger than Lunokhod 2’s and remaining usable even during lunar daylight.
Centimeter-level ranging to Lunokhod 1 added a reflector near the Moon’s limb, improving the geometry of the lunar laser network for tests of gravity, lunar rotation and the Earth-Moon orbit.
With new reflectors added in 2025 and 2026, how has the 'lost' Lunokhod 1 truly changed our map of the cosmos?
A lost Soviet relic now outperforms its peers. What does this teach us about designing technology for future deep space exploration?
Unlocking Lunar Precision: The Rediscovery and Scientific Revolution of Lunokhod 1’s Laser Reflector
Overview
For decades, the Lunokhod 1 reflector was lost on the Moon until images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in March 2010 pinpointed its location with high accuracy. This breakthrough allowed the Apache Point Observatory to quickly acquire a laser signal from the reflector, confirming its functionality. Soon after, French scientists replicated these results, further validating its performance. Recent studies have shown that Lunokhod 1’s reflector provides superior data for lunar laser ranging, outperforming other lunar reflectors and enabling more precise measurements of the Earth-Moon distance and lunar motion. This rediscovery has greatly advanced lunar science and fundamental physics.