description Kaguya (SELENE) Overview
Kaguya, officially named SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer), was a Japanese lunar orbiter launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on September 14, 2007. The spacecraft carried 14 scientific instruments to study the Moon's surface, gravity field, and electromagnetic environment, producing high-resolution terrain data and detailed gravity maps. Kaguya also captured the first high-definition video footage of the lunar surface from orbit. The mission concluded in June 2009 when the spacecraft was intentionally crashed into the Moon near the crater Gill.
help Kaguya (SELENE) FAQ
Why did JAXA rename SELENE as Kaguya?
SELENE stands for Selenological and Engineering Explorer, while Kaguya refers to the Moon Princess in the Japanese tale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. JAXA selected the public-facing name through a public naming process.
What instruments did Kaguya carry to the Moon?
Its payload included a terrain camera, laser altimeter, lunar radar sounder, magnetometer and X-ray and gamma-ray spectrometers. The mission also carried an HDTV system that recorded striking views of Earth from lunar orbit.
What were Okina and Ouna in the Kaguya mission?
They were two small companion satellites released by the main orbiter. Okina supported relay measurements of far-side lunar gravity, while Ouna contributed to very-long-baseline radio observations.
How did the Kaguya mission end?
The main spacecraft was deliberately directed into the Moon after completing its observations. Its controlled impact occurred in June 2009, following a mission that began with launch from Tanegashima on 14 September 2007.
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