[09-14-07 – Satellite Today] Lunar Orbit Explorer Kaguya was launched successfully at 10:31 a.m. Japan Standard Time, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced Sept. 14.
The satellite will go around the earth twice before entering into a lunar orbit. Kaguya’s main orbiter, which will circulate 100 km (62 mi.) above the surface, will observe the Moon’s surface for a year. The Japanese hope to gain insight into how the Moon was formed, the influences of the Sun on the Moon and observe electromagnetic waves in space, outside of the influence of TV and cell phone waves scientists find on Earth.