JAXA Concludes Akatsuki Mission After 14+ Years Circling Venus

Akatsuki Spacecraft Concludes 14-Year Venus Mission

November 3, 2025

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced the official end of the Akatsuki spacecraft’s mission as of September 18, 2025. The probe, often called the Venus Climate Orbiter, embarked on its journey in May 2010, arriving at Venus in December of the same year to embark on an extensive investigation of Earth’s mysterious neighbor.

JAXA Reported that contact with Akatsuki was lost in April 2024, and despite concerted efforts, signals could not be re-established. While the spacecraft surpassed its intended lifespan, the loss of dialog and inability to restore operations prompted the mission’s conclusion.

The termination of the Akatsuki mission signifies the end of the only spacecraft currently orbiting and studying Venus. this mission has profoundly impacted our understanding of the planet, often referred to as “The Twins of the World” due to its similarities in size and mass to Earth.

Unveiling Venus: Akatsuki’s Scientific Contributions

Equipped with specialized cameras capable of capturing images in both infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths, along with instruments to detect lightning, Akatsuki was designed to study the complex atmospheric dynamics of Venus. A primary objective was to decipher the cause of the planet’s unusually rapid atmospheric superrotation, where the atmosphere circles the planet much faster than the planet itself rotates.

Over the course of 14 years, the spacecraft delivered a wealth of data, providing scientists with critical insights into Venus’s meteorological phenomena and atmospheric processes. This data is instrumental in advancing our knowledge of planetary atmospheres and climate systems.

Did You Know? Venus’s atmosphere is almost entirely carbon dioxide, creating a runaway greenhouse effect responsible for its incredibly high surface temperatures – hot enough to melt lead.

venus: A Comparative Look

venus, the second planet from the sun, presents a compelling contrast to Earth. While similar in size, Venus’s orbit and rotation are markedly different. It takes approximately 224.7 Earth days for Venus to complete one orbit around the Sun but a remarkable 243 Earth days for it to complete a single rotation on its axis. Consequently,a day on Venus is longer than its year.

The planet is perpetually shrouded in thick clouds,preventing direct observation of its surface.

Planet	Orbital Period (Earth Days)	Rotational Period (Earth Days)
Earth	365.25	1
Venus	224.7	243

pro Tip: Studying Venus can provide valuable insights into the potential consequences of unchecked greenhouse effects on Earth, aiding in our understanding of climate change.

The Future of Venus Exploration

Despite the end of Akatsuki’s mission, interest in Venus is surging. Several new missions are planned by various space agencies, including NASA’s VERITAS and DAVINCI+ missions, and ESA’s EnVision mission. these missions aim to further unravel the mysteries of Venus, exploring its geological history, atmospheric composition, and potential for past or present habitability.

These planned expeditions utilize advanced technologies and diverse observational techniques to build upon the discoveries made by Akatsuki, promising a new era of Venusian research.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Akatsuki Mission

• What was the primary goal of the Akatsuki mission? the primary goal was to study the atmospheric dynamics of Venus, particularly the phenomenon of superrotation.
• How long did the Akatsuki spacecraft operate in orbit around Venus? The spacecraft operated for over 14 years, from December 2010 until September 2025.
• Why was contact with Akatsuki lost? Contact was lost in April 2024, and attempts to restore the signal were unsuccessful, leading to the mission’s conclusion.
• What kind of data did Akatsuki collect about Venus? It collected data regarding atmospheric composition, cloud formations, lightning activity, and variations in temperature.
• Will there be future missions to Venus? Yes, several missions are planned by NASA and ESA to further investigate the planet.
• What is the significance of Venus being called “Earth’s twin”? venus is similar in size and mass to Earth, however, the planets’ environmental conditions are remarkably different.

What are yoru thoughts on the future of Venus exploration? Share your comments below!

What challenges did the Akatsuki mission overcome to achieve scientific success after its initial orbital insertion failure?

The End of an Era for Venus Exploration

after an notable 14 years orbiting Venus, Japan’s Aerospace Exploration agency (JAXA) has concluded operations for the Akatsuki spacecraft.The mission, initially plagued by setbacks, ultimately became a cornerstone of Venusian atmospheric research, providing unprecedented insights into the planet’s super-rotation, cloud dynamics, and volcanic activity. The final data transmission occurred on November 3,2025,marking the end of a remarkably resilient and scientifically productive mission. This concludes a long and complex journey for the Venus orbiter.

Akatsuki’s Troubled Beginnings and Remarkable Recovery

Launched in 2010, Akatsuki – meaning “dawn” in Japanese – faced a significant hurdle upon its initial arrival at Venus in 2015. A malfunction in the main engine prevented it from achieving its planned orbit. Tho, JAXA engineers demonstrated extraordinary ingenuity, successfully maneuvering the spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit using smaller thrusters in 2016. This recovery was a testament to the team’s dedication and expertise, turning a potential disaster into a scientific triumph.the mission’s resilience became a defining characteristic.

Key Scientific Discoveries from the Akatsuki Mission

Akatsuki’s observations have revolutionized our understanding of Venus. Here are some of the most significant findings:

* venusian Super-Rotation: The spacecraft provided crucial data confirming and detailing the phenomenon of Venus’s atmosphere rotating much faster than the planet itself – a mystery scientists are still working to unravel. Akatsuki’s observations helped pinpoint the altitudes where this acceleration occurs.

* Cloud dynamics & Atmospheric Waves: Akatsuki’s high-resolution infrared and ultraviolet cameras revealed intricate details of Venus’s cloud structure, including the presence of atmospheric waves and their role in energy transport. These waves are believed to contribute to the super-rotation.

* Volcanic Activity: While definitive proof of current volcanic eruptions remains elusive, Akatsuki detected variations in sulfur dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, suggesting recent or ongoing volcanic activity.This is a key area of ongoing research.

* Small-Scale Atmospheric Phenomena: The mission captured stunning images of small-scale atmospheric features, such as vortices and cloud streaks, providing insights into the complex processes shaping Venus’s climate.

* Detailed Mapping of Cloud composition: Akatsuki’s instruments allowed for detailed mapping of the composition of Venus’s clouds, revealing the distribution of different chemical species and their impact on the planet’s radiative balance.

Instruments and Their Contributions

Akatsuki carried a suite of refined instruments,each playing a vital role in the mission’s success:

* Infrared Camera (IR1): Used to observe thermal radiation from Venus,revealing cloud structures and temperature variations.

* Ultraviolet Camera (UV): Mapped the distribution of sulfur dioxide and other chemicals in the atmosphere.

* lightning and Airglow Camera (LAC): Searched for lightning activity and studied airglow phenomena.

* Radio Science Experiment: Used radio waves to probe the atmosphere’s density and temperature profiles.

The Future of Venus Exploration: Building on Akatsuki’s legacy

Akatsuki’s findings have paved the way for future Venus missions. Several new missions are planned, including:

* DAVINCI+ (NASA): A mission to descend through Venus’s atmosphere and analyze its composition.

* VERITAS (NASA): A mission to map Venus’s surface and investigate its geological history.

* EnVision (ESA): A mission to study Venus’s atmosphere and surface with advanced radar and spectroscopic instruments.

These missions will build upon Akatsuki’s discoveries, aiming to answer basic questions about venus’s evolution, habitability, and potential for past or present life. The data collected by Akatsuki will be invaluable for interpreting the results from these upcoming missions.

Impact on Planetary Science & Atmospheric Modeling

The Akatsuki mission has substantially advanced the field of planetary science, particularly in the area of atmospheric dynamics. The data collected has been used to refine atmospheric models and improve our understanding of how atmospheres behave on other planets, including Earth. The insights gained from studying Venus’s super-rotation, for example, could have implications for understanding atmospheric circulation patterns on gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn.

JAXA’s Continued Commitment to Space Exploration

Despite the conclusion of the Akatsuki mission, JAXA remains committed to exploring our solar system and beyond. The agency is actively involved in a range of projects, including lunar exploration, asteroid sample return missions (Hayabusa2), and the development of new space technologies. The lessons learned from Akatsuki will undoubtedly inform and enhance JAXA’s future endeavors.