Did you know that a Japanese satellite is now orbiting the moon?
Tokyo, Japan (AHN) - The Japanese satellite launched last month finally reached orbit around the moon on Friday. The probe is eventually set to move into orbit closer to the moon's surface before starting an observational mission that should last a year.
The $279 million Selenological and Engineering Explorer or SELENE involves launching the main satellite in a circular orbit at an altitude of about 60 miles, as well as the two smaller satellites in elliptical orbits. The data collected will be used the study the moon's origin and evolution.
Many more details about Japan's long-term space plans, which include constructing a research base on the Moon starting around 2025, are here.
Japanese culture has long appreciated and celebrated the moon. As a techological world leader, Japan has as good a chance as any country on earth of establishing a moon base this century.
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