KAGUYA (SELENE) Placed in Science Orbit Around the Moon

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) injected the KAGUYA main satellite in its scheduled orbit and shifted its operation mode to the regular control mode. Both the KAGUYA main satellite and its two baby satellites are in good health. The “KAGUYA” (SELENE) is a lunar explorer launched by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 13 (H-IIA F13) on September 14, 2007, (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center.

We completed the KAGUYA’s critical phase and are now moving to the initial functional verification phase.

During the verification phase, we will check out onboard equipment in the current lunar orbit until mid December, then start regular observations.

We would like to express our profound appreciation for the cooperation and support of all related personnel and organizations that helped contribute to the successful launch and tracking operation of the KAGUYA.

You can also check this information on the following Special Site: [http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f13/index_e.html]

Critical phase: a period starting from launch through being ready for initial functional verification including payload separation from the launch vehicle, injection into the lunar orbit, and shift to a regular control mode.

Regular control mode: attitude control method of a satellite with three axis control to observe the Moon’s surface by having the observation equipment face the moon at all times.