Japan on Friday set off to have its own share of moon glory with the successful launch of the Selene (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) probe on board an H-2A rocket from the Tanegashima Space Centre.
The 32 billion yen (about Rs 1100 crore) probe will orbit twice around the earth before heading for its destination. The journey expected to take about three weeks.
Friday's successful launch comes as shot in the arm for the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency.
The JAXA had witnessed an embarrassing failure in November 2003, when it had to destroy a rocket carrying a spy satellite minutes after lift-off as the booster failed to separate.
JAXA officials said the probe was aiming at studying the gravitational field and environment on the moon while at the same time searching for hydrogen.
Besides collecting data on topographical and surface structures, Selene will also seek to analyse the distribution of chemical elements and minerals on the moon, they added.
Image: The Selene lunar probe takes off from the Tanegashima Space Centre.
Photograph courtesy: JAXA
