Kaguya: Japan's lunar orbiter

Launch window · #1 (**permalink**) 13-April-2007, 07:55 AM

First lunar orbiter launches in August

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-b...0070413a4.html

NEOWatcher · #2 (**permalink**) 19-April-2007, 07:27 PM

And CNN, of course, turns it into a space race.

Japan gets serious about space

Up until now, it was just a hobby?

Quote:

Japan leaped ahead of Asia by launching the region's first satellite in 1972. Now it is struggling to keep up in the most heated space race since the Cold War competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Quote:

JAXA says the SELENE project is the largest lunar mission since the U.S. Apollo program

Is that true?

Larry Jacks · #3 (**permalink**) 19-April-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:
JAXA says the SELENE project is the largest lunar mission since the U.S. Apollo program

Is that true?

It might be true but I have my doubts. Since Apollo, the moon hasn't received a lot of attention. The US launched the Clemintine and Lunar Prospector missions a while back and that's about it. The ESA had their SMART-1 lunar satellite. It seems to be a smaller mission than SELENE. However, the Soviet Union continued with unmanned lunar landers until 1976. That was a pretty big program that sounds a lot bigger than SELENE. After all, the Luna series landers included some that carried rovers and others that had sample return capability. It sounds like the article didn't account for the Soviet Luna program when making that statement.

01101001 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-June-2007, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Jacks

SELENE

Now known as Kaguya.

Moon Princess: Kaguya Hime.

Planetary Society Weblog: SELENE has a new name: Kaguya

Quote:

Japan's space agency, JAXA, announced today that the official name of their lunar mission, to be launched in August, is Kaguya. Formerly known as SELENE, Kaguya consists of three spacecraft, a main orbiter and two much smaller one known as the Relay and VRAD satellites. The three-satellite design will allow Kaguya to make a highly detailed map of the gravity field of the Moon, giving key information to the Moon's interior.

Long live Kaguya!

Launch window · #5 (**permalink**) 12-June-2007, 06:01 AM

I wish them the best of luck with this latest mission

01101001 · #6 (**permalink**) 13-June-2007, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Launch window

First lunar orbiter launches in August

JAXA: SELenological and ENgineering Explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE):

Quote:

June 13, 2007 Updated

Launch day is set! Special site is open!
The launch day and time of the lunar explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE) and the "H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 13" is set at 9:30:48 a.m. on August 16, 2007. We have opened a Special Web Site for the launch. We will carry the latest news on the "KAGUYA" and the "H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 13" on these special web pages, so please check them regularly

Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

01101001 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-July-2007, 10:03 PM

Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site Updated July 4. No slippage.

Quote:

Scheduled Launch Time Range: Wed. August 16, 2007, 9:30:48 a.m

About 5 weeks. Countdown clock:

Quote:

36 days to launch

Launch window · #8 (**permalink**) 14-July-2007, 03:43 AM

Thanks for the updates

3488 · #9 (**permalink**) 16-July-2007, 07:03 PM

Kaguya is an impressive mission.

The high resolution camera, promises eight metre resolution. Perhaps we will see the true nature of many of the volcanic lunar features.

The super high spectral data, will definately throw more light onto the Moon's origins & subsequent evolution.

Mind you the LROC on board the NASA Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter will show details down to less than one metre across.

I think Lunar science is set to get a real boon from these two.

Andrew Brown.

01101001 · #10 (**permalink**) 16-July-2007, 07:10 PM

Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

About 1 month: August 16. Countdown clock:

Quote:

30 days to launch

ToSeek · #11 (**permalink**) 20-July-2007, 10:04 PM

Kaguya launch delayed

Quote:

According to a JAXA press release, the launch of the Kaguya lunar satellite, previously planned for August 16, is being delayed for an unknown length of time. Here's the explanation:

When a ground test was prepared for another satellite (Wideband Internetworking Engineering Test and Demonstration Satellite, WINDS,) the polarity of its onboard condenser was found to be installed reversely. JAXA checked the KAGUYA (SELENE) for the same problem, and found the reverse polarity of the condenser in the two onboard baby satellites (one condenser on each satellite.) The two condensers will be replaced.

Tough break, but at least they caught the problem before launch. I'll post another update when they announce a new launch date.

01101001 · #12 (**permalink**) 27-July-2007, 05:32 AM

Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

While Kaguya is on hold getting the problem fixed, we see this.

Countdown clock:

Quote:

Countdown stopped,
please wait for a while.

I'm afraid to look away. I might miss a month of inactivity.

01101001 · #13 (**permalink**) 29-July-2007, 04:32 PM

From (NASA Space Communications and Data Systems and NASA Goddard) Mission Set Database: SELENE Mission Information, Kaguya launch looks to be rescheduled for September 13. I don't know how accurately this list is maintained, but it looks somewhat officious. (This date isn't reflected on JAXA pages, but for one document in Japanese that names September.)

Quote:

Aliases and other search terms: project: H-IIA TDRSS Data Relay Project (HTDRP)
Full Mission Name: Selenological and Engineering Explorer
Customer: Reimbursable JAXA

Launch UTC: NET 9/13/2007, 0135:47Z

01101001 · #14 (**permalink**) 31-July-2007, 12:08 AM

Aviation Week and Space Technology: Japan Will Soon Restart Intensive Lunar Study

Quote:

Selene will return its data in X-band at a rate of 10 Mbps., and is expected to deliver some 4.3 terabytes of raw data and 25.6 terabytes of high-level data over the year-long nominal observation period. The mission will be controlled, and its data analyzed, at a new facility near the Sagamihara Space Operations Center.

To help maintain public interest in space exploration, the upcoming Selene mission will take high-definition video of the Moon. Through collaboration with Japanese public broadcaster NHK, JAXA will broadcast “Earthrise” video in which the Earth appears to be rising above the Moon’s horizon. It won’t be real-time footage, however. It will take several days for Selene to transmit the HDTV data for such a clip back to Sagamihara.

01101001 · #15 (**permalink**) 15-August-2007, 05:18 PM

Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

Quote:

New Launch day of "KAGUYA"
[August 15, 2007 Updated]
The launch of the Lunar Orbit Explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE) by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 13 (H-IIA F13) was rescheduled for 10:35:47 a.m. on September 13 (THU), 2007 (Japan Standard Time) after replacement work of parts in the two onboard baby satellites of the "KAGUYA" was successfully completed. We plan to broadcast a live launch report on the launch day. Please enjoy it.

Countdown Clock:
28 days to launch

Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 10:35:47 JST
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 01:35:47 UTC
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 21:35:47 EDT
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 18:35:47 PDT

01101001 · #16 (**permalink**) 22-August-2007, 04:43 PM

JAXA Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

Countdown Clock:
21 days to launch

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Launch Service :: Vehicle No. 13

Information (launch press release)
Launch Overview (date/time, stats)
Launch Preparation Report (news)
Live Launch Webcast (launch day)

01101001 · #17 (**permalink**) 29-August-2007, 04:49 PM

JAXA Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

Countdown Clock:
14 days to launch

JAXA Overview of the KAGUYA (SELENE) (with pictures):

Quote:

The "KAGUYA" consists of a Main Orbiter, which circulates 100 kilometers above the Moon, and two small satellites (a Relay Satellite and a VRAD Satellite).

Quote:

Once the "KAGUYA" is launched, it will go around the Earth twice and then toward the Moon, before entering into a lunar orbit. The Main Orbiter of the "KAGUYA" will then separate the Relay Satellite and VRAD Satellite and observe the Moon's surface over a one-year period while it goes around the circular orbit 100 kilometers above the Moon passing over both poles. Each of the small satellites will circulate on different elliptic orbits to observe the Moon.

ToSeek · #18 (**permalink**) 29-August-2007, 07:37 PM

Kaguya posts given their own thread (spun off from the Lunar-A thread at our binary friend's suggestion).

01101001 · #19 (**permalink**) 05-September-2007, 04:58 PM

JAXA Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

Countdown Clock:
7 days to launch

JAXA Kaguya Launch Broadcast:

Quote:

JAXA is providing a live report of the launch of the selenological & engineering explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE)/H-IIA F13 from a studio at Tanegashima with JAXA employees' comments.

Webcast begins one hour prior to launch.

There is a 20-minute Kaguya promotional video (WMV format, Japanese language) Made me hungry for Iron Chef food. Maybe it was the stirring music.

stutefish · #20 (**permalink**) 05-September-2007, 11:16 PM

Does anybody know where I can find details on how Kaguya will effect TLI and LOI? I've been searching the official sites for something like an S-IVB, but so far I've had no luck. Descriptions of the payload itself don't mention or show any auxiliary motors, and it's not clear from the mission profile diagrams that the H2A second stage is used at all past the usual GTO point (or, in this case, what appears to be an LTO? point). According to the H2A site, it seems like the launch vehicle's second stage would not be used for TLI.

Anyway, I'm curious: does Kaguya include additional motors and fuel, or some S-IVB-like third stage, that nobody's talking about?

01101001 · #21 (**permalink**) 05-September-2007, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stutefish

Anyway, I'm curious: does Kaguya include additional motors and fuel, or some S-IVB-like third stage, that nobody's talking about?

Have you spotted the main engine?

NASA NSSDC Catalog: SELENE:

Quote:

A 500 N bipropellant (NTO/N2H4) main engine is mounted in the propulsion module.

JAXA: Main characteristics of Kaguya (Pictures)

Edit: Pure guess, but from the mission profile, I get that there is 2nd-stage separation, and then the TLI happens with the (restartable) H-IIA 2nd stage, and then the craft separates from the second-stage engine.

Then there is a fine-tuning injection-correction maneuver, maybe with the main engine. Then cruise. Then lunar orbit insertion, with the main engine.

stutefish · #22 (**permalink**) 06-September-2007, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01101001

Have you spotted the main engine?

NASA NSSDC Catalog: SELENE:

JAXA: Main characteristics of Kaguya (Pictures)

Edit: Pure guess, but from the mission profile, I get that there is 2nd-stage separation, and then the TLI happens with the (restartable) H-IIA 2nd stage, and then the craft separates from the second-stage engine.

Then there is a fine-tuning injection-correction maneuver, maybe with the main engine. Then cruise. Then lunar orbit insertion, with the main engine.

Thanks! That's exactly the information I was looking for.

01101001 · #23 (**permalink**) 08-September-2007, 05:33 PM

JAXA Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

Countdown Clock:
4 days to launch

ISAS: Kaguya (SELENE) Mission Instruments

Quote:

Elemental distribution
X-ray Spectrometer [XRS]
The surface elemental composition (AL,Si,Mg,Fe,etc.) is determined through X-ray fluorescence spectrometry by irragiation of solar X-rays.
Gamma-ray Spectrometer [GRS]
The abundance of key elements (U,Th,K,H,etc.) is determined by measuring energy spectra of gamma-rays from the lunar surface with high energy resolution.
Mineral distribution Multiband Imager[MI]
The mineral distribution is obtained by taking the visible and near infrared images of the Moon's surface in nine wavelength bands.
Spectral Profiler[SP]
The mineral composition of the Moon's surface is obtained by measuring the continuous visible and near infrared spectrum.
Surface and sub-surface structure
Terrain Camera[TC]
High-resolution geographical features are acquired by the stereo cameras.
Lunar Radar Sounder[LRS]
The subsurface stratification and tectonic features in the shallow part of the lunar crust (a few km) by high-power RF pulses.
Laser Altimeter[LALT]
To make the lunar topography model, the altitude is precisely measured using high-power laser pulses.
Environment Lunar Magnetometer[LMAG]
The magnetization structure on the Moon is acquired by measuring the lunar and the surrounding magnetic field.
Charged Particle Spectrometer[CPS]
Alpha rays from the Moon's surface and the abundance of cosmic ray particles are measured.
Plasma energy
Angle and Composition Experiment[PACE]
The three dimensional distribution of the low-energy electrons and mass-discriminated low-energy ions around the Moon are measured.
Radio Science[RS]
The Moon's ionosphere is detected by measuring the small deviation of the phase of RF signals from the VRAD satellite.
Upper atmosphere and Plasma Imager[UPI] Images of the magnetosphere and the ionosphere around the Earth are taken from the Moon to study the behavior of the plasma.
Gravitational field distribution
Four-way Doppler measurements by relay satellite and main orbiter transponder[RSAT]
The local gravity field of the far-side of the Moon is observed by measuring the disturbance of the orbit of the Main Orbiter using four-way Doppler measurement.
Differential VLBI Radio Source[VRAD]
The accurate gravity field data of the Moon are obtained by measuring the orbits of Relay and VRAD satellites using differential VLBI observation of S and X band radio waves. (VLBI:Very Long Baseline Interferometer)
High definition Image
High Definition Television[HDTV]
Taking pictures and movies of the Earth and the Moon with high-definition terevision cameras.

F13 Launch Sequence:

Quote:

Liftoff 00:00
SSB ignition 00:10
SSB jettison 01:30
SRB-A jettison 02:05
Payload fairing jettison 04:25
1st/2nd stages separation 06:48
2nd stage engine 1st ignition 06:54
2nd stage engine 1st cutoff 12:07
2nd stage engine 2nd ignition 40:33
2nd stage engine 2nd cutoff 44:02
Satellite separation 45:32

Planned launch date and time:
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 10:35:47 JST
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 01:35:47 UTC
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 21:35:47 EDT
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 18:35:47 PDT

01101001 · #24 (**permalink**) 11-September-2007, 02:35 AM

JAXA Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

Countdown Clock:
2 days to launch

Exactly 48 hours to launch

That doesn't give China much time, if their aim was for Chang'e 1 to beat Kaguya to lunar orbit.

Tanegashima Web Cam (from Tanegashima Space Center)

Planned launch date and time:
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 10:35:47 JST
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 01:35:47 UTC
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 21:35:47 EDT
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 18:35:47 PDT

Launch window · #25 (**permalink**) 11-September-2007, 10:50 AM

Kaguya (SELENE), the Japanese lunar explorer just got delayed by one day to Friday from Thursday because poor weather is expected over Japan.

01101001 · #26 (**permalink**) 11-September-2007, 01:47 PM

JAXA Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

New launch time:

Quote:

The new launch date will be September 14 (Fri,) 2007 (Japan Standard Time, JST.) The launch time is scheduled for 10:31:01 a.m. (JST.)
We will re-examine the weather and other conditions tomorrow for the launch on the 14th.

About 2.5 days to launch

Planned launch date and time:
Friday, September 14, 2007 at 10:31:01 JST
Friday, September 14, 2007 at 01:31:01 UTC
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 21:31:01 EDT
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 18:31:01 PDT

NEOWatcher · #27 (**permalink**) 11-September-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01101001

Planned launch date and time:
Thursday, September 14, 2007 at 10:31:01 JST
Thursday, September 14, 2007 at 01:31:01 UTC
Wednesday, September 13, 2007 at 21:31:01 EDT
Wednesday, September 13, 2007 at 18:31:01 PDT

Bad planning?

Somebody ought to look at the calendar.

01101001 · #28 (**permalink**) 13-September-2007, 02:31 AM

JAXA Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

Countdown Clock:
01 days to launch

Exactly 24 hours to launch

Planned launch date and time:
Friday, September 14, 2007 at 10:31:01 JST
Friday, September 14, 2007 at 01:31:01 UTC
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 21:31:01 EDT
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 18:31:01 PDT

01101001 · #29 (**permalink**) 13-September-2007, 02:31 PM

JAXA Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

Countdown Clock:
12:00:00

Some links:

NASA representative blogging in Japan: To the moon with Kaguya
JAXA Kaguya Launch Broadcast (active 1 hour before launch)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Launch Service :: Vehicle No. 13

Countdown Report (log of events)
Launch Overview (date/time, stats)
Launch Preparation Report (news)
Live Launch Webcast (not yet active; probably JAXA's, above)

Tanegashima Web Cam (from Tanegashima Space Center)

Space.com: Target Moon: Japan's Kaguya Probe Set for Lunar Mission

Planned launch date and time:
Friday, September 14, 2007 at 10:31:01 JST
Friday, September 14, 2007 at 01:31:01 UTC
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 21:31:01 EDT
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 18:31:01 PDT

01101001 · #30 (**permalink**) 13-September-2007, 10:31 PM

JAXA Launch of KAGUYA/H-IIAF13 Special Site

Countdown Clock:
04:00:00

Friday, September 14, 2007 at 10:31:01 JST
Friday, September 14, 2007 at 01:31:01 UTC
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 21:31:01 EDT
Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 18:31:01 PDT

Countdown Report

2007-09-14 05:39 Radio frequency system checks completed
2007-09-14 05:15 First stage and second stage liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks fully loaded
2007-09-14 03:40 Attitude control system flight slew test completed
2007-09-14 03:05 Access restriction to be imposed inside a 3,000 m radius from the launch pad
2007-09-14 02:00 Pre-cooling operations started
2007-09-14 01:43 Terminal countdown operations started
2007-09-14 01:40 Second Go/No Go Decision

Tanegashima Web Cam
tanegashima0625.png

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