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Page last updated at 21:53 GMT, Thursday, 18 June 2009 22:53 UK

First step of a lasting return to the moon

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Nasa has launched two spacecraft to the Moon in preparation for a return to the lunar surface by US astronauts.

LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) and a crater observation mission have lifted off from Florida on an Atlas V rocket.

Data gathered by LRO will help mission planners select future landing sites and scout locations for lunar outposts.

The second mission will send a rocket stage crashing into the lunar surface to scour the resulting debris plume for evidence of water ice.

READ MORE: Lift off for Nasa's lunar probes

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