The Japanese satellite Akatsuki has officially closed its operations after 15 years of journeying through space. Launched on May 21, 2010, this satellite was adorned with over 13,000 drawings and messages sent by fans of Hatsune Miku, making it a unique monument to the famous virtual idol. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) aimed for Akatsuki to study the weather patterns of Venus and search for signs of active volcanism on the planet.
A satellite that had been out there for a lifetime
Despite its achievements, JAXA announced the loss of contact with Akatsuki in April 2024. After a year of trying to reestablish communications, the agency determined that recovery would be difficult and officially ended its operations. In a statement on Twitter, the Akatsuki team expressed their gratitude to everyone who supported the mission over these 15 years.
Akatsuki was the only operational satellite focused on Venus in the last decade, managing to capture stunning images of the planet, characterized by the brown and creamy tones of its atmosphere. This satellite became a symbol not only of space exploration but also of Japanese pop culture, by integrating fan art into its structure.
Although the closure of Akatsuki marks a milestone in the exploration of Venus, other missions are in planning. The NASA and the European Space Agency are developing new satellites, such as NASA’s DAVINCI and VERITAS, and ESA’s EnVision, scheduled for launches in the next decade. These new initiatives promise to continue the exploration and study of Venus’s environment, providing more information about this intriguing neighboring planet.
