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| .....Selene 1 will carry
13 instruments including imagers, a radar
sounder, laser altimeter, X-ray
fluorescence spectrometer and gamma-ray
spectrometer to study the origin,
evolution, and tectonics of the Moon from
orbit. The 2000 kg launch-mass spacecraft
will be carried by an H-2A rocket from
the Tanegashima Space Center. Selene will
take 5 days to reach the Moon, ejecting a
data relay satellite before reaching
orbit. The relay satellite will be in an
elliptical orbit, 2400 km from the
surface at its furthest point. It will
act as a relay for communications between
the orbiter and Earth and will be used to
measure the Moon's gravitational field.
The orbiter will undergo maneuvers to
place it into a 100 km circular lunar
orbit for one year of remote surface
observations. Following this the 450 kg
propulsion module of the orbiter will be
released to touch down on the lunar
surface at approximately 3 m/s. If it
survives the impact it will transmit
information on the lunar environment. |
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