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• In 2007, Japan launched the Kaguya Orbiter, also known as SELENE, the nation's first lunar satellite. Kaguya entered orbit around the Moon and released two smaller satellites in order to map and study the lunar surface. The orbiter entered successfully entered lunar orbit, and is currently performing its scheduled tasks.JAXA: KAGUYA (SELENE) Transition to Operation Phase (December 21, 2007)

• Fast Facts

  1. Official name: Selenological and Engineering Explorer (SELENE)
  2. Official nickname: KAGUYA
  3. Nickname derived from a legendary moon princess from Japanese folklore
  4. Cost: 32 billion yen ($279 million USD)International Herald Tribune: Japanese lunar probe reaches orbit in a first (October 5, 2007)
  5. Launched on September 14, 2007
  6. Entered orbit around the Moon on October 18, 2007
  7. Completed systems check and began operations on December 21, 2007JAXA: KAGUYA (SELENE) Transition to Operation Phase (December 21, 2007)

• International Rivalries

  The launch of the Kaguya Orbiter came at a time when Japan was in fierce competition with other Asian countries, chiefly China and India. Kaguya's launch was delayed four years,International Herald Tribune: Japanese lunar probe reaches orbit in a first (October 5, 2007) and pre-dated China's Chang'e 1 launch by only a few weeks.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Apollo Program | China and Japan Lunar Missions | Google Moon Contest | NASA | The Moon

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