Kaguya (SELENE) launch delayed

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla

2007/07/20 09:14 CDT

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According to a JAXA press release, the launch of the Kaguya lunar satellite, previously planned for August 16, is being delayed for an unknown length of time. Here's the explanation:

When a ground test was prepared for another satellite (Wideband Internetworking Engineering Test and Demonstration Satellite, WINDS,) the polarity of its onboard condenser was found to be installed reversely. JAXA checked the KAGUYA (SELENE) for the same problem, and found the reverse polarity of the condenser in the two onboard baby satellites (one condenser on each satellite.) The two condensers will be replaced.

Tough break, but at least they caught the problem before launch. I'll post another update when they announce a new launch date.