Japan has lost contact with its Akatsuki (Dawn) probe, the only active spacecraft on Venus. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) lost communication with Akatsuki after an operation in late April.
ISAS reported losing contact due to an extended period of low attitude stability control mode and is now working to reestablish communication with the spacecraft. Efforts are focused on maintaining a stable orientation to point Akatsuki’s antenna towards Earth.
Despite this setback, the Akatsuki team expressed gratitude for public support and promised updates on future plans once determined. Launched to study Venus’ climate and atmospheric dynamics, Akatsuki has already surpassed its primary mission objectives, entering an extended operational phase in 2018.
Even if the mission cannot be salvaged, Akatsuki has significantly advanced our understanding of Venus and demonstrated JAXA engineers’ problem-solving abilities. Interest in Venus remains high, with upcoming missions from NASA, the European Space Agency, India, and private ventures aiming to explore the planet’s extreme greenhouse effect and potential biomarkers in its atmosphere.
