Japan Launches Kaguya Moon Mapping Mission

On September 13, 2007, Japan launched the Kaguya spacecraft, officially named SELENE (SELenographic and Lunar EXploration Mission), aboard a H-IIA rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center. The mission aimed to map the Moon’s surface and interior with unprecedented precision, providing high‑resolution topographic data, gravity field measurements, and a comprehensive survey of lunar mineralogy. Kaguya carried a suite of instruments, including a laser altimeter, a near‑infrared spectrometer, and a magnetometer, designed to study the Moon’s composition, structure, and magnetic field.

The launch marked a milestone for Japan’s space program, demonstrating the country’s capability to conduct complex deep‑space missions and to operate a spacecraft in lunar orbit for an extended period. Kaguya’s observations have contributed to a better understanding of the Moon’s formation and thermal evolution, and its data have been used by international researchers to refine models of lunar geology. The mission also fostered collaboration with agencies such as NASA and the European Space Agency, which provided complementary data and shared scientific objectives.

In summary, Kaguya’s deployment advanced lunar science by delivering detailed, high‑resolution datasets that have informed both academic research and future mission planning. The mission’s success reinforced Japan’s standing in the global space community and underscored the importance of international cooperation in exploring the Moon.