Japan's Akatsuki Probe Loses Contact, Ending Venus Observations
JAXA is working to reestablish communication with Akatsuki, humanity's only active mission to Venus, after losing contact in April.
Overview
- Akatsuki, launched in 2010, is Japan's first successful mission to explore another planet.
- The spacecraft entered Venus' orbit in 2015 after an initial failure and has been studying its climate and atmosphere.
- JAXA lost contact with Akatsuki due to a prolonged low attitude stability control mode.
- Efforts are ongoing to restore communication, but the mission's future remains uncertain.
- Akatsuki's loss leaves a gap in Venus research until new missions launch later this decade.