The SELENE mission: Goals and status

SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) mission is planned in 2005 for lunar science and technology development. The mission will consist of a main orbiting satellite at about 100 km altitude in near-polar circular orbit and two subsatellites in elliptical orbits with apolunes at 2400 km and 800 km. The scientific objectives of the mission are: 1) study of the origin and evolution of the Moon, 2) measurement of the lunar environment, and 3) observation of the solar-terrestrial plasma environment. SELENE will carry 14 scientific instruments for mapping of lunar topography and surface composition, measurement of the magnetic fields, and observation of the lunar and solar-terrestrial plasma environment. The mission period will be one year. If extra fuel is available, the mission will be extended.