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Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

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Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Japan's Space Plans

Japan is headed to the moon! This month, Japan's space agency announced plans to launch SELENE, the country's first lunar, or moon, orbiter. After many delays, SELENE is now set to take off in August.

"The mission will involve observation of the whole moon," says Satoki Kurokawa from Japan's program. The orbiter will be made up of one large satellite and two smaller ones. Together, the satellites will study how the moon formed and how it has changed over time.

Japan is competing with China, the Asian nation that has explored space the most. Japan may try to land on the moon and send manned missions to space.

Next: Lady and the Pig