LOLA's 5-spot pattern on the lunar surface

To determine an accurate full surface slope of the moon requires the measurement of slope in two directions.

LOLA's multibeam 50-point pattern projected onto the lunar surface provides five measurements in an X-pattern from which the slopes can be derived.

This X-shaped five-point pattern also has the advantage that when rotated, it will provide five near-equidistant parallel profiles, in LOLA's case with approximately 12 meters between each profile.