Kaguya spacecraft: Japan's high-definition lunar mapping mission

On September 13, 2007, Japan launched the Kaguya spacecraft, officially known as SELENE (SELenological and ENgineering Explorer), from the Tanegashima Space Center. Launched via an H-IIA rocket, the mission was designed to map the lunar surface in high definition and study the Moon's gravitational field.

The mission utilized three spacecraft: a main orbiter, a communications satellite named Okina, and a small satellite named Ouna. Kaguya carried 14 scientific instruments and provided the first high-definition imagery and video of the Moon, including unique views of Earthrise.

Following a 20-day journey to reach lunar orbit, the mission conducted extensive observations for approximately one year. The mission concluded on February 12, 2009, with a controlled crash landing on the lunar surface after a defective reaction wheel prevented a mission extension.