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Japan Aerospace Exploration AgencyLaunch SuccessfulLunar ExplorationH-IIA 2022
Launched 2007-09-14 01:31:01 UTCYoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
Success
Reached Lunar Orbit
Worldwide
42nd
orbital launch attempt in 2007
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
2nd
launch this year
Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-1
2nd
launch from this pad this year
Pad turnaround
201 d 20 h
since the pad's previous launch
Kaguya, also known as SELENE, was the second Japanese lunar orbiter spacecraft. Kaguya usede a suite of 15 instruments to gather scientific data on lunar origins and evolution. The main orbiter was accompanied by two smaller satellites: a relay satellite Okina and a satellite Ouna for Very Long Baseline Interferometry observations. Kaguya orbited the Moon for a year and eight months and then ended the mission via a planned impact on the lunar surface.
Launch Provider
Government · Japan · Founded 2003 · Administrator Hiroshi Yamakawa
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's national aero-space agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on 1 October 2003. JAXA is responsible for research, technology development and the launch of satellites into orbit, and is involved in many more advanced missions, such as asteroid exploration and possible manned exploration of the Moon. JAXA launch their Epsilon vehicle from the Uchinoura Space Center and their H-II vehicles from the Tanegashima Space Center.
Launches
37
Successful
33
89%
Upcoming
2
scheduled
Height
53m
Diameter
4m
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ETS-9Mitsubishi Heavy Industries · H3-22 · Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2, Tanegashima Space Center, JapanGeostationary Transfer OrbitTo be determinedNET 2026
IGS Optical Diversification 1Mitsubishi Heavy Industries · H3-30 · Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2, Tanegashima Space Center, JapanSun-Synchronous OrbitTo be determinedTime TBD