FUJINON LENSES BRAVE HARSH SPACE ENVIRONMENT TO EXPLORE LUNAR LANDSCAPE ABOARD “KAGUYA” SATELLITE

October 31, 2007

Source: Fujinon

When the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched its lunar orbit satellite, “Kaguya” from the country’s Tanegashima Space Center, three satellite optics lenses developed by Fujinon were aboard to provide high quality, high definition images transmitted back to the space center for evaluation.

Kaguya’s year-long mission began in September and will attempt to discover the moon’s origin and evolution. Throughout the year, the mission will include 15 separate tasks during which scientific observations will be recorded about the moon’s landform, its mineral distribution and the surface structure.

The lenses are mounted on the expedition’s three major imaging equipment pieces which document the moon’s terrain and surrounding environment. A terrain camera photographs the moon landform in stereoscopic vision or 3-D. A multi-band imager focuses on variations in wavelengths and differences in the moon’s surface color to explore lunar rock distribution. A high definition camera records the rising of the earth over the moon’s horizon.

Fujinon lenses had to meet strict requirements to be selected for this mission. The high level of vibration of the satellite launch alone tested the lenses, as well as the exposure to radiation during space flight. The company has developed and manufactured a variety of lenses for use on JAXA satellites, such as the advanced land observing satellite “Daichi” and the earth resources satellite “Fuyo.”

About Tanegashima Space Center

The Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) was established in 1969, when the original National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) was formed. It is the largest space-development facility in Japan (9,700,000 square meters) and is located in the south of Kagoshima Prefecture, along the southeast coast of Tanegashima. On-site facilities include the Takesaki Range (for small rockets), the Osaki Range (for J-I and H-IIA launch vehicles), the Masuda Tracking and Communication Station, the Nogi Radar Station, the Uchugaoka Radar Station, and optical observation facilities to the west.
The TNSC’s main role is the management of satellites at every stage of flight including countdown, launching, and tracking.

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