The most advanced space craft to reach the Moon since the Apollo missions of the late '60s and '70s has been launched by Japan. The project previously named SELENE has been re-christened Kaguya after the Japanese mythological moon princess. Launched at 01:31 GMT aboard a Japanese H-IIA launch vehicle manufactured by Mitsubishi from Tanegashima Space Centre, Kaguya carries two smaller probes which will be launched with the mission objectives of obtaining orbit around the Moon and relaying information about the surface, geology and to carry out some radio experiments.
The Main Orbiter Once in a stable peripolar orbit at an altitude of 100 km will release the Relay Satellite in an elliptic orbit at an apogee of 2400 km. This Relay Satellite will relay communications between the Main Orbiter and the ground station. The VRAD Satellite will play a significant role in measuring the gravitational field around the Moon. The Main Orbiter will be employed for about one year and will observe the entire Moon.
Kaguya is interesting in as much that it is the most sophisticated space craft launched by Japan. It comes after missions from the European Space Agency with the SMART-1 project and precedes China's Space Agency lunar orbiter, Chang'e I. The objectives of the project are to Study the origins of the Moon and its geologic evolution, obtain information about the lunar surface environment and perform radio science on lunar orbit. JAXA describes Kaguya's scientific goals as:
Science of the Moon: The Moon has been observed and explored extensively as the most familiar body. Although the Moon is more thoroughly studied than any other planetary bodies in the solar system, its origin and evolution process are still controversial. The KAGUYA mission targets are the global characterization of lunar surface and detailed gravimetry. This mission will provide globally the high-quality and high-resolution data on element abundance, mineral assemblage, surface topography, sub-surface structure, magnetic and gravity field, and precession. We aim to better understand the origin and evolution of the Moon by these observations.
Science on the Moon: The KAGUYA mission investigates energetic particles, electromagnetic field and plasma, around the Moon. The measurements on the lunar environments are highly valuable scientifically, and also provide important information for the future human activity on the Moon.
Science from the Moon: The KAGUYA orbiter provides unique opportunities to study the earth's plasma environments. Imaging of the earth in the wavelength from extreme ultraviolet to visible radiation will contribute to clarifying the global dynamics of terrestrial plasmasphere. The topographic study of the polar region will also provide the basic information of future construction of the astronomical observatory on the lunar surface.
With all this in mind it will be interesting to see if all this information will be shared with China, the USA and the European Space Agencies to advance their efforts to create a lunar base. And more importantly, whether the human race can put aside cultural, economic and political differences to drive us out into the 'Final Frontier'.
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