Japan's Akatsuki Probe Loses Contact, Ending Venus Mission

The Akatsuki spacecraft, humanity's sole observer of Venus, has gone silent after a decade of atmospheric research.

Akatsuki lost communication during a maneuver in late April, confirmed by Japan's space agency JAXA.
The probe, launched in 2010, exceeded its expected lifespan and faced initial orbital challenges.
Efforts to reestablish contact are ongoing, though the future of the mission remains uncertain.
Akatsuki provided valuable data on Venus' climate, including atmospheric dynamics and potential volcanic activity.
New missions from NASA and other agencies are planned to study Venus in the coming decade.