Japan's first lunar satellite began its mission of exploration after it was successfully launched Friday from the Tanegashima Space Centre in southern Japan, according to DPA. The Selenological and Engineering Explorer, Kaguya, would conduct the world's first full-scale and highest performing exploration of the moon since the US Apollo programme in the 1960s and 70s, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Kaguya, which consists of a 3-ton main orbiter and two 50-kilogramme sub-satellites, would probe the moon's surface, gather data on gravity and send back photos with a high-definition television camera. The probe satellite was expected to orbit Earth twice before reaching the moon and starting its 10-month exploration in December. The launch was initially scheduled for August, but the Japanese aerospace agency postponed it because two components had been incorrectly installed.
