SATELLITES & SPACE PROBES A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z           HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) A Japanese mission to study the origin and evolution of the Moon, and help develop the techniques needed for future lunar exploration and utilization. Following the many trips to the Moon in the 1960s and 1970s, our nearest celestial companion in space fell out of space-exploration favor. Russia’s Luna 24 was the last lunar lander, a quarter of a century ago. SELENE will give scientists and engineers around the world the most recent and probably best assessment yet of the potential for future human utilization, and even habitation, of the Moon. After a four-year delay, SELENE was finally launched on September 14, 2007. As is traditional with Japanese spacecraft, the three-tonne probe has been given an alternative, Japanese name, Kaguya, after a mythical princess story who ascended to the Moon. SELENE will orbit the Earth before traveling the 380,000 km (237,500 miles) to the Moon. There the main orbiter and two smaller satellites will be positioned 100 km (60 miles) above the lunar surface. Related categories    • MOON, UNMANNED SPACECRAFT    • JAPANESE SPACECRAFT    • SATELLITES AND SPACE PROBES    • MOON TOPICS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP