[Project Topics] AKATSUKI: Orbit successfully controlled

By Madman on 2015/August/07 in News

Aug. 5, 2015 Updated

AKATSUKI: Orbit successfully controlled

	JAXA performed an orbit control maneuver for the Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” in late July in preparation for its re-injection into the Venus orbit scheduled for Dec. 7, 2015. According to the analysis of telemetry data acquired up to Aug. 2, the orbit control and correction was successfully conducted as scheduled by 5:30 p.m. on August 4. (All dates and time are Japan Standard Time.) …

About Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” (PLANET-C)

(Courtesy of Akihiro Ikeshita)	AKASTUKI will elucidate the mysteries of Venus, Earth’s twin sister. Japan will initiate the beginning of a new era of Venusian exploration. AKATSUKI (PLANET-C) is the next planetary exploration project for the Martian orbiter NOZOMI . Venus has long been referred to as Earth’s sister planet not only because its size and distance from the sun are similar to those of the Earth, but also because its birth formation is considered to be similar to that of the Earth at the genesis period of the solar system. However, Venus is actually very different from the Earth as it is veiled in high-temperature carbon dioxide and thick sulfuric-acid clouds. Also, above the surface of Venus, violent winds which reach some 400 kilometers per hour blow over. Clarification of the causes for such an environment will provide us with clues to understand why the Earth has become a peaceful and lively planet unlike Venus as well as to help understand climate change on Earth. Therefore, Venus is a very important subject for exploration to learn about the Earth’s environment. Launch date: May 21, 2010

(Courtesy of Akihiro Ikeshita)

AKASTUKI will elucidate the mysteries of Venus, Earth’s twin sister.
Japan will initiate the beginning of a new era of Venusian exploration.

AKATSUKI (PLANET-C) is the next planetary exploration project for the Martian orbiter NOZOMI . Venus has long been referred to as Earth’s sister planet not only because its size and distance from the sun are similar to those of the Earth, but also because its birth formation is considered to be similar to that of the Earth at the genesis period of the solar system. However, Venus is actually very different from the Earth as it is veiled in high-temperature carbon dioxide and thick sulfuric-acid clouds. Also, above the surface of Venus, violent winds which reach some 400 kilometers per hour blow over. Clarification of the causes for such an environment will provide us with clues to understand why the Earth has become a peaceful and lively planet unlike Venus as well as to help understand climate change on Earth. Therefore, Venus is a very important subject for exploration to learn about the Earth’s environment.

Launch date: May 21, 2010

Re-entry plan to Venus orbit

The AKATSUKI is expected to usher in a new era of Venusian exploration. It was launched aboard an H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 in May 2010 (JST.) It smoothly flew and spurted out jets from its orbit control engine on Dec. 7, 2010. Unfortunately, the AKATSUKI failed to inject itself into the orbit of Venus. JAXA set up an investigation team not only to examine and study the causes of the failure and countermeasures, but also to see if it is possible to insert the AKATSUKI again into the orbit when it comes closer to Venus in about six years.

The AKATSUKI is expected to usher in a new era of Venusian exploration. It was launched aboard an H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 in May 2010 (JST.) It smoothly flew and spurted out jets from its orbit control engine on Dec. 7, 2010. Unfortunately, the AKATSUKI failed to inject itself into the orbit of Venus. JAXA set up an investigation team not only to examine and study the causes of the failure and countermeasures, but also to see if it is possible to insert the AKATSUKI again into the orbit when it comes closer to Venus in about six years.

Characteristics of Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUK” (PLANET-C)

Infrared light enables more detailed investigation of Venus.

The probe vehicle of AKATSUKI will enter an elliptical orbit, 300 to 80,000 km away from Venus’s surface. This wide variation in distance will enable comprehensive observations of the planet’s meteorological phenomena and of its surface, as well as observations of the atmospheric particles escaping from Venus into space. It will also be possible to take close-up photos of Venus, and to observe the storm winds that blow on the Venusian surface, at speeds that reach 100 m a second – 60 times the speed at which Venus rotates. This phenomenon remains the biggest mystery of Venus, as it cannot be explained meteorologically. AKATSUKI will employ infrared light to observe and elucidate the mysteries surrounding the atmosphere under the clouds and the conditions on the planet’s surface. In addition, it will confirm the presence of active volcanoes and thunder.

The probe vehicle of AKATSUKI will enter an elliptical orbit, 300 to 80,000 km away from Venus’s surface. This wide variation in distance will enable comprehensive observations of the planet’s meteorological phenomena and of its surface, as well as observations of the atmospheric particles escaping from Venus into space. It will also be possible to take close-up photos of Venus, and to observe the storm winds that blow on the Venusian surface, at speeds that reach 100 m a second – 60 times the speed at which Venus rotates. This phenomenon remains the biggest mystery of Venus, as it cannot be explained meteorologically. AKATSUKI will employ infrared light to observe and elucidate the mysteries surrounding the atmosphere under the clouds and the conditions on the planet’s surface. In addition, it will confirm the presence of active volcanoes and thunder.

Major Characteristics

International Designation Code	2010-020D
Launch Date	6:58, May 21, 2010 (JST)
Launch Vehicle	H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.17
Location	Tanegashima Space Center
Shape	Box shape with two wing-type solar array paddles
Weight	Mass at liftoff: about 500 kg
Orbiter	Venus elliptical orbit
Altitude	PeriVenus: 300 km ApoVenus: about 80,000 km
Orbital Inclination	Approx. 172 degrees
Orbital Period	Approx. 30 hours

Mission talk by team leaders

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