Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) over the Moon, illustration. The LRO is passing over Shackleton crater near the lunar south pole. On 4 May 2015 the LRO changed its orbit to bring it closer to the south pole of the Moon. The new orbit is elliptical, with a closest approach, called periapsis, within 20 kilometres of the surface. The far end of the orbit (apoapsis) is roughly 165 kilometres above the north pole. This new orbit is relatively stable, requiring little fuel to maintain. The LRO, which orbits the Moon, was launched on 18 June 2009. Image published in 2015.