SELENE
SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) was a Japanese lunar orbiter mission designed to study the Moon's origin and evolution, as well as to provide data for future lunar exploration. Here are the key details:
Overview
- Launch: September 14, 2007
- Operator: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- Mission Duration: Planned for one year, but extended to 21 months.
- Orbit: Initially placed in a 100 km circular orbit around the Moon, later adjusted to 50 km for higher resolution data collection.
Objectives
- To obtain data on the lunar origin and evolution.
- To observe the Moon's surface with high resolution for resource exploration.
- To test technology for future lunar exploration.
Scientific Instruments
SELENE carried a suite of 15 scientific instruments:
Mission Highlights
- First Lunar Orbit Insertion: October 4, 2007
- Sub-Satellite Release: The mission deployed two sub-satellites, Rstar and Vstar, to study the Moon from different orbits.
- Data Collection: SELENE gathered extensive data on lunar magnetism, composition, and subsurface structure.
- Public Outreach: The mission included public involvement through the HDTV camera, broadcasting live images of the Moon.
End of Mission
- The main orbiter impacted the Moon on June 10, 2009, after a successful mission.
- The relay satellite, Rstar, continued operations until April 2015.
Legacy
SELENE's data has been instrumental in:
- Understanding the Moon's geological history and composition.
- Planning future lunar missions, including landing site selection.
- Enhancing our knowledge of lunar resources and potential for human exploration.
Sources