The SELENE (Kaguya) mission and its lunar science
- Paper number
IAC-08.A3.2.A2
- Author
Prof. Manabu Kato, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Yoshisada Takizawa, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Prof. Susumu Sasaki, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Japanese lunar orbiter SELENE (Kaguya) has been successfully launched from Tanagashima Space Center TNSC on September 14, 2007. On October 4 the Kaguya has been inserted into a highly elliptical orbit circulating the Moon after passing the phasing orbit rounding the Earth. After lowering the apolune altitudes the Kaguya has reached the nominal observation orbit with 100 km circular and polar on October 18. On the way to nominal orbit two subsatellites Okina(Rstar) and Ouna(Vstar) have been released into the elliptical orbits of 100 km perilune, and 2400 km and 800 km apolune, respectively. After the checkout of bus system each science instrument has received performance test in the checkout term for about 1.5 months. Most instruments show health and excellent performance. Nominal observation term for ten months has been started on December 21, 2007. Science observation and data acquisition are carrying out well to get new sights and knowledge in Science of the Moon, Science on the Moon, and Science from the Moon.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.A3.2.A2.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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