ScienceJuly 14, 2026
retroreflector
/ˌrɛtroʊrɪˈflɛktər/
Definition
A passive optical device designed to reflect light beams directly back toward their source, used here to assist in precision lunar navigation.
Etymology
The word combines the Latin prefix 'retro-', meaning 'backward,' and the verb 'reflect,' which stems from the Latin 'reflectere,' meaning 'to bend back.' It entered modern English to describe technology that returns radiation or light to its origin.
In the news
In the article, NASA is deploying laser retroreflectors as permanent, maintenance-free location markers on the Moon to help incoming landers determine their position accurately. These devices act as reliable beacons for orbital and surface navigation.
NASA selects four new Moon missions to build a permanent lunar base
Read the full article ↗ScienceDaily