Dear people
Can you kindly give me a list of all known/ current artifical
satellites of the Moon? (These can also include spacecraft that
accidently ended up orbiting the Moon)
Many Thanks
Mongolia

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Clarification of Question by mongolia-ga on 31 Mar 2005 03:27 PST

Is this question really that tough?
Mongolia

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Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 31 Mar 2005 08:03 PST

Dear Mongolia,

Does this list of artificial satellites and space probes
answer your question?
http://www.answers.com/topic/timeline-of-artificial-satellites-and-space-probes

Bobbie7

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Clarification of Question by mongolia-ga on 01 Apr 2005 03:21 PST

bobbie7

Your website has given me a comprehensive list of many things launched
since the beginning of the Space Programs in the late 1950's.

What my question asks for specifically is a list of probes/spacecraft currently
orbiting the Moon.

I do not think this list would exceed a total of 20.

Many Thanks

Mongolia

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Request for Question Clarification by welte-ga on 06 Apr 2005 09:34 PDT

After quite a bit of searching, I have come across a list of
artificial satellites launched to the moon.  This list includes the
ultimate end of each satellite.  Those listed as "selenocentric orbit"
are still orbiting the moon.  Here is the page from NASA:
http://history.nasa.gov/pocketstats/sect%20B/Lunar%20Ex.pdf

I have found no reports of natural satellites of the moon.

I can extract the artificial satellites from the list above if this is
acceptable as an answer.

I have also found several scientific articles discussing the physics
of orbits of satellites around the moon if you are interested.

Best,

          -welte-ga

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Clarification of Question by mongolia-ga on 06 Apr 2005 18:04 PDT

Welte
Your question goes some way in answering my question. However there
still remains a lot of loose ends before  we come to a definative
list. Some queries-:

- Are any of the lunar modules from the Apollo program still orbiting the moon?

-  I am surprised that the 5 lunar orbiter probes impacted the moon. Do 
   you know why?

-  Are any of hte Russian probes still orbiting the moon?

-  What about space probes launched by Japan and the European Space 
  Agency ?       
Thanks

Mongolia