[10-05-07 – Satellite Today] The  Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed Oct.5 that the Kaguya (Selene) satellite was injected into lunar orbit, a first for Japan. JAXA said the satellite was in “good health.” The Selene satellite had been launched on Sept. 14 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan.

The major objectives of the mission are to obtain scientific data of the lunar origin and evolution and to develop the technology for future lunar exploration. Selene consists of a main orbiting satellite at about 100km altitude and two small satellites (Relay Satellite and VRAD Satellite) in polar orbit. The orbiters will carry instruments for scientific investigation of the moon, on the moon, and from the moon.

The satellite, the first to be launched by JAXA, will study the moon’s origin and evolution. The main satellite, Kaguya, is in a circular orbit approximately 60 miles above the lunar surface.