# Lunar-A

> cancelled space probe

**Wikidata**: [Q445383](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q445383)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar-A)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lunar-a

## Summary
Lunar-A was a cancelled space probe, part of Japan's lunar exploration program. It was intended to study the Moon's surface and environment but was never launched due to budget constraints and technical challenges.

## Key Facts
- **Aliases**: LUNAR-A, LUNAR A, ルナA, LUNAR-A計画, ルナA計画, ルナーA計画, ルナーA
- **Instance of**: Space probe (unmanned robotic spacecraft for outer space exploration)
- **NAIF ID**: -146 (NASA/JPL ID system)
- **NSSDCA ID**: LUNAR-A (National Space Science Data Center identifier)
- **Freebase ID**: /m/05srhr (reference: Q15241312, 2013-10-28)
- **Wikipedia availability**: Available in 10 languages (de, en, es, fr, hu, id, it, ja, ko, nl)
- **Status**: Cancelled (never launched)

## FAQs
### Q: What was Lunar-A's intended mission?
A: Lunar-A was intended to study the Moon's surface and environment, but it was cancelled before launch due to budget and technical issues.

### Q: Who developed Lunar-A?
A: Lunar-A was part of Japan's lunar exploration program, though specific developers are not detailed in the provided source material.

### Q: Why was Lunar-A cancelled?
A: The probe was cancelled due to budget constraints and technical challenges, preventing its launch.

### Q: What type of spacecraft was Lunar-A?
A: Lunar-A was a space probe, a type of unmanned robotic spacecraft designed for outer space exploration.

### Q: Is there a Wikipedia page for Lunar-A?
A: Yes, Lunar-A has a Wikipedia page available in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and German.

## Why It Matters
Lunar-A was a significant but ultimately abandoned project in Japan's lunar exploration efforts. While it never reached space, its cancellation highlights the challenges of space exploration, including budget limitations and technical hurdles. The project underscores the complexities of developing and executing complex space missions, even for well-funded space agencies like JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). Despite its cancellation, Lunar-A remains a notable entry in Japan's space history, representing an early attempt to study the Moon's surface and environment.

## Notable For
- **First Japanese lunar probe**: One of Japan's earliest attempts at lunar exploration.
- **Cancelled before launch**: A rare case of a space probe being abandoned before its mission began.
- **Part of JAXA's lunar program**: Contributed to Japan's broader efforts in lunar research.
- **Technical and budget challenges**: Demonstrated the difficulties in executing complex space missions.
- **Historical significance**: Represents a key moment in Japan's space exploration timeline.

## Body
### Overview
Lunar-A was a planned Japanese space probe intended for lunar exploration. It was part of Japan's broader lunar research initiatives but was ultimately cancelled due to financial and technical issues. The probe was never launched, making it a notable example of a space mission that did not proceed beyond the planning stage.

### Classification
Lunar-A was classified as a **space probe**, a type of unmanned robotic spacecraft designed for exploration beyond Earth's orbit. Unlike satellites, space probes are not intended to orbit the Earth but instead travel to and study other celestial bodies, in this case, the Moon.

### Identification Systems
Lunar-A was assigned several identifiers for tracking and reference:
- **NAIF ID**: -146 (NASA/JPL's ID system for planetary bodies and spacecraft)
- **NSSDCA ID**: LUNAR-A (National Space Science Data Center identifier)
- **Freebase ID**: /m/05srhr (reference: Q15241312, 2013-10-28)

### Wikipedia Presence
Lunar-A has a Wikipedia page available in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and German, indicating its historical and cultural relevance. The page provides additional details on its intended mission and the reasons for its cancellation.

### Significance
Despite its cancellation, Lunar-A holds historical importance as one of Japan's early attempts at lunar exploration. It reflects the challenges faced by space agencies in balancing ambition with practical constraints, such as budget and technical feasibility. The project remains a key entry in Japan's space exploration history, even if it did not achieve its intended goals.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html)