Exploration program for the moon

The most exciting on the relationship between humankind and the Moon was probably the Apollo program undertaken during 1969-1972. The Apollo program brought us numerous scientific data, but unfortunately the program did not give sufficient data to resolve fundamental question on the Moon. After 30 years from the Apollo program, SELENE (SELenological and ENgineering Explorer), developed in the first ISAS/NASDA joint Lunar program, is getting ready for lunch by H-IIA rocket in 2004. The major objectives of the mission are to obtain the lunar origin and evolution, and to develop the technology for the future lunar exploration.