Lunar Exploration Highlights - 2000–2010

Missions to the Moon this century

MISSION Agency Launch Date End Date
SMART-1 ESA 27 Sept. 2003 3 Sept. 2006
Kaguya (SELENE) JAXA 14 Sept. 2007 10 June 2009
Chang' E-1 CNSA 24 Oct. 2009 1 Mar. 2010
Chandrayaan-1 ISRO 22 Oct. 2008 31 Aug. 2009
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) NASA 17 June 2009 STILL ACTIVE
LCROSS NASA 17 June 2009 9 Oct. 2009
ARTEMIS NASA 20 July 2009* STILL ACTIVE
Chang' E-2 CNSA 1 Oct. 2010 8 June 2011**
GRAIL NASA 10 Sept. 2011 17 Dec. 2011
LADEE NASA 6 Sept. 2013 17 Apr. 2014
Chang' E-3 CNSA 1 Dec. 2013 STILL ACTIVE

* Actual launch date = 17 Feb. 2007 as part of the THEMIS mission. Date represents the start of operations once the three satellite arrived at the Moon.

** End of lunar operations and departed lunar orbit.


Mission-specific science results: