About SELenological and ENgineering Explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE)
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SELENE: The largest lunar mission since the Apollo program The SELenological and ENgineering Explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE), Japan’s first large lunar explorer, was launched by the H-IIA rocket on September 14, 2007 (JST). The mission, which is the largest lunar mission since the Apollo program, is being keenly anticipated by many countries. |
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Project Topics
indexDetection of intact lunar lava tubes in the data from Kaguya radar sounding
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The international research team investigated the analysis of the SELENE Lunar Radar Sounder (LRS) data and confirmed that multiple lunar lava tubes exist extending a few to several tens of meters in depth underneath the volcanic region. One floor of the holes extended several tens of kilometers westward of the east end of the lava tube that LRS detected. The results from the LRS data analysis are valuable from science and future exploration perspectives, as they offer evidence for the existenc... |
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Press Release
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- November 2, 2009 (14:00)
- Public release of KAGUYA (SELENE) data archives
KAGUYA’s configuration and mission
The KAGUYA consisted of the Main Orbiter and two small satellites ("OKINA" (Relay Satellite) and "OUNA" (VRAD Satellite). The Main Orbiter was injected into a peripolar orbit of the Moon at an altitude of 100 km. The Relay Satellite was placed in an elliptic orbit at an apolune altitude of 2400 km to relay communications between the Main Orbiter and the ground station for measuring the gravity field of the backside of the Moon. The VRAD Satellite, which was in an elliptic orbit at an apolune altitude of 800 km, played a role of measuring the gravity field around the Moon by sending radio waves. |
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Major Characteristics
International Designation Code | 2007-039A (Main Orbiter) | |
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Launch Date | 10:31, September 14, 2007 (JST) | |
Launch Vehicle | H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.13 | |
Location | Tanegashima Space Center | |
Main Orbiter | Shape | Upper module: 2.1m x 2.1m x 2.8m Lower module: 2.1m x 2.1m x 1.4m Adaptor truss: φ2.2m octagonal column x 0.6m (temporary) |
Weight | Approx. 2,900kg (at lift off) | |
Orbiter | Circular orbit | |
Altitude | Approx. 100km | |
Inclination | 90 degree | |
Attitude Control | Three-axis stabilization | |
OKINA (Relay Satellite) |
Shape | Octagonal column shape (1m x 1m x 0.65m) with about 50kg in mass |
Weight | Approx. 50kg | |
Orbiter | Elliptical orbit | |
Altitude | Approx. 100km x 2400km | |
Inclination | 90 degrees | |
Attitude Control | Spin-stabilization | |
OUNA (VRAD Satellite) |
Shape | Octagonal column shape (1m x 1m x 0.65m) with about 50kg in mass |
Weight | Approx. 50kg | |
Orbiter | Elliptical orbit | |
Altitude | Approx. 100km x 800km | |
Inclination | 90 degrees | |
Attitude Control | Spin-stabilization |