Japan launches lunar orbiter
Posted: Fri, Sep 14, 2007, 8:32 AM ET (1232 GMT)
An H-2A rocket successfully launched an ambitious, long-delayed Japanese lunar orbiter mission on Friday. The H-2A lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 9:31 pm EDT Thursday (0131 GMT, 10:31 am local time Friday), carrying the Kaguya lunar orbiter spacecraft. The Japanese space agency JAXA declared the launch a success, with the spacecraft separating from the rocket's upper stage 45 minutes after liftoff. Kaguya, formerly known as SELENE, consists of a large main orbiter and two smaller sub-satellites which are carrying a large array of cameras, spectrometers, and other instruments to study the Moon. The launch had been delayed for several years because of problems with the development of the spacecraft.
An H-2A rocket successfully launched an ambitious, long-delayed Japanese lunar orbiter mission on Friday. The H-2A lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 9:31 pm EDT Thursday (0131 GMT, 10:31 am local time Friday), carrying the Kaguya lunar orbiter spacecraft. The Japanese space agency JAXA declared the launch a success, with the spacecraft separating from the rocket's upper stage 45 minutes after liftoff. Kaguya, formerly known as SELENE, consists of a large main orbiter and two smaller sub-satellites which are carrying a large array of cameras, spectrometers, and other instruments to study the Moon. The launch had been delayed for several years because of problems with the development of the spacecraft.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, May 13
A new ‘Boost!’ for space transportation companies
ESA — 6:12 am ET (1012 GMT) Elon Musk Is Out to Rule Space. Can Anyone Stop Him?
Wired — 6:11 am ET (1011 GMT) AST SpaceMobile ‘Optimistic’ About New Glenn Pad Return
Aviation Week — 6:08 am ET (1008 GMT) AST SpaceMobile Confirms Target for 45 BlueBirds This Year, Despite Blue Origin Launch Failure
ViaSatellite — 6:06 am ET (1006 GMT) ULA to prep future Vulcan launch for Amazon despite rocket investigation
Orlando Sentinel — 6:06 am ET (1006 GMT) |
