0.72
AU FROM SUN
DISTANCE
107,710,467 km
16 years, 24 days
MISSION DURATION
AND COUNTING
518
KG
LAUNCH MASS
1
TARGETS
Venus
Akatsuki is a orbiter mission by JAXA targeting Venus. Launched May 20, 2010. Currently 0.72 AU from the Sun.
ABOUT AKATSUKI
Akatsuki is JAXA’s Venus Climate Orbiter, the only spacecraft currently studying Venus. After its main engine failed during the first orbit insertion attempt in 2010, engineers devised an alternative plan using attitude control thrusters, successfully entering Venus orbit in December 2015.
KEY DISCOVERIES
- Gravity wave in Venus atmosphere
- Super-rotation of Venus atmosphere studied in detail
TECHNOLOGY & FIRSTS
- Successfully entered Venus orbit on second attempt (5 years later)
- Only active Venus orbiter
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (6)
UVI (UV imager)
IR1 (1-micron camera)
IR2 (2-micron camera)
LIR (Longwave IR camera)
LAC (Lightning/airglow camera)
RS (Radio science)
SPACECRAFT SPECIFICATIONS
Launch Mass518 kg (1,141 lbs)
PowerSolar panels
Launch VehicleH-IIA
Launch DateMay 20, 2010
Arrival DateDecember 7, 2015
ProgramPlanet-C
MISSION TRAJECTORY
1
Venus
OTHER VENUS MISSIONS