The mission overview of KAGUYA(SELENE)

Paper number

IAC-08.A3.1.12

Author

Mr. Yoshisada Takizawa, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Year

2008

Abstract

KAGUYA (SELENE) is the largest and the most sophisticated lunar explorer since the Apollo program.

The objectives of KAGUYA are as follows
1)	For the research of  the moon origin and the revolution to gather globally the scientific data by 14 up-to-date mission instruments
2)	These data will be used for the study of the manned exploration and the utilization of the moon
3)	To develop the basic technologies for the moon exploration 
4)	For the public outreach of the space activities, to take the movie of the Earth and the moon surface by the onboard High definition Television (HDTV) camera 

KAGUYA was launched Sep.14, 2007 and injected into the lunar orbit Oct 4. After finishing the checkout of mission instruments, nominal observation has been successfully done since the end of 2007 and the substantial data and new findings have already have been acquired.

Also the many movies including the beautiful Earth and the moon surface were taken successfully and open to public. These movies have been highly evaluated through all over the world.

For the achievements until now, 3 awards have already been given to KAGUYA project team. These are” Laureate award for space” form Aviation week, “ Maejima awards” from the TEISHIN association and “The second grand prize of naming awards” from NIKKAN KOGYO SHINBUN LTD.

This paper presents the objectives, scientific mission concept, satellites characteristics, trans-lunar trajectories, results of the operations and the scientific achievements.

Abstract document

IAC-08.A3.1.12.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.A3.1.12.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.