LOLA integrated to the LRO spacecraft.

Environmental tests done on the unit included operational and survival thermal testing, assessing temperature extremes, operation in vacuum, and vibration testing.

Here, LOLA is seen integrated into the LRO spacecraft following final testing.

The engineering model optical assemblies are tested with the same optical components as the actual flight model, but they're built with aluminum instead of titanium or beryllium for the structural components, according to NASA.

Testing assemblies while early in development is critical to correct any design flaws, verify all interfaces and optical test procedures, and identify the required optical ground support equipment, the agency said.

If they're not caught before LOLA heads into space, simple miscalculations can doom an entire project.