*KAGUYA taking "Full Earth-rise" & Earthset by HDTV [HD]*

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SELENE (Ancient Greek: Σελήνη, moon), better known in Japan by its nickname Kaguya (かぐや?), is the second Japanese lunar orbiter spacecraft.

Produced by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science and NASDA (both organizations that are now part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA), the spacecraft was launched September 14, 2007.

The name stands for Selenological and Engineering Explorer; Selene was a lunar deity in Greek mythology. The orbiter's nickname, Kaguya, which was selected by the general public, derives from the name of a lunar princess in the ancient Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.

After the successful release of its sub-satellites Rstar and Vstar, they were named Okina and Ouna, also from folklore.

SELENE comes as part of a renewed interest in lunar exploration, being "the largest lunar mission since the Apollo program", and following up on Japan's first lunar probe, Hagoromo, launched in 1990.



KAGUYA (SELENE) taking "Full Earth-rise" by HDTV on Apr. 5, 2008. Aspect ratio 16:9 and HD quality in English narration. (C)JAXA/NHK





KAGUYA (SELENE) taking "Earth-set" by HDTV. Aspect ratio 16:9 and HD quality in English narration. (C)JAXA/NHK