NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
International Space Flight (ESA, Russia, China and others) => Japanese Launchers => Topic started by: johnxx9 on 09/29/2009 05:18 pm
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The PLANET-C is supposed to be launched at the beginning on 2010 and will be the first mission to Venus in almost 20 years. Unlike Mars, not many missions are scheduled for Venus. Nine until the next 10 years (Venera-D and Venus Entry Probe).
http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/planet_c/index_e.html
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The PLANET-C is supposed to be launched at the beginning on 2010 and will be the first mission to Venus in almost 20 years.
Um, I know it may look like the mission doesn't even exist judging by the lack of press releases, but aren't you forgetting ESA's Venus Express?
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The PLANET-C is supposed to be launched at the beginning on 2010 and will be the first mission to Venus in almost 20 years.
Um, I know it may look like the mission doesn't even exist judging by the lack of press releases, but aren't you forgetting ESA's Venus Express?
Sorry! My bad! I had the Magellan probe in mind.
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Didn't Messenger do a flyby on the way to Mercury taking science data in 2007?
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Didn't Messenger do a flyby on the way to Mercury taking science data in 2007?
Yes, it even collaborated with Venus Express in a set of observations.
http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Venus_Express/SEMMC0ARR1F_0.html
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Solar powered sail demonstrator IKAROS and the university satellite UNITEC-1 which are launched at the same time will reach to Venus in December, 2010, too.
If IKAROS is lucky, it will survive.
But maybe, I think that UNITEC-1 does not survive till the arrival to Venus.
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/e/activity/ikaros.html
http://unitec-1.cc.u-tokai.ac.jp/en/news_en
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The Cassini spacecraft also visited Venus.
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*** JAXA MAIL SERVICE ***
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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Venus Climate Orbiter "PLANET-C" Nicknamed "AKATSUKI"
October 23, 2009 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is scheduled to launch
the Venus Climate Orbiter "PLANET-C" in Japan Fiscal Year 2010.
JAXA has decided the nickname of the PLANET-C as follows.
1. Name: Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (meaning "Dawn")
2. Reasons for naming:
- The name was discussed and decided by the PLANET-C project team.
- "AKATSUKI" means "dawn" when Venus shines most brightly as the first
graying of dawn appears in the east sky just prior to sunrise. The
AKATSUKI is scheduled to arrive at Venus, which beautifully shines
as the "morning bright star" at dawn, in the winter of 2010. The
name also reflects the purpose of the PLANET-C project to newly
create planetary meteorology by exploring Venus. The word "AKATSUKI",
which indicates the start of a day, implies not only a beautiful
scenic image, but also the power of achieving a goal, thus the name
carries the thoughts and determination toward the success of the
mission.
- By publishing the nickname well in advance of its launch, we intend
to make people more familiar with the satellite and its launch
preparations, actual launch, and on-orbit operations.
Reference
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/10/20091023_akatsuki_e.html#at
This page URL:
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/10/20091023_akatsuki_e.html
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*** JAXA MAIL SERVICE ***
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C) Message Campaign
October 23, 2009 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is scheduled to launch
the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C) by H-IIA Launch
Vehicle in Japan Fiscal Year 2010. The AKATSUKI will enter the orbit
of Venus about half a year after its launch, and will take some two
years to explore the atmosphere of Venus.
JAXA would like to enhance people's interest in space and the Earth
by holding a "message campaign" in which we invite people to send us
messages that will be printed in fine letters on an aluminum plate
and placed aboard the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI". We will accept
messages both from Japan and overseas so that we can bind the
feelings and thoughts of everybody in the world into one, and inject
it into the orbit of Venus. Through this campaign, we would like to
boost the public's knowledge about Japanese space science research
activities in Japan as well as abroad.
With the cooperation of the "International Year of Astronomy 2009
Japan Committee," we would like to carry out the "message campaign"
to collect messages to be attached to the Venus Climate Orbiter
"AKATSUKI" as follows.
1. Campaign name
"We will deliver your message to the bright star Venus"
- "AKATSUKI" Message Campaign -
2. Message accepted
From October 23, 2009 thru December 25, 2009 (Japan Standard Time)
3. How to send your message
[For individual senders]
Through the Internet
Japanese site: http://www.jaxa.jp/event/akatsuki/index_j.html
English site: http://www.jaxa.jp/event/akatsuki/index_e.html
- You can send a message in Japanese characters (Hiragana, Kanji,
and Katakana) as well as using numbers and/or Roman letters.
However, some letters (such as half-sized Katakana) or some PC
specific letters may not be properly encoded on our side. Therefore,
if you use such letters, they may not be printed as you intend.
- Only a name (without a message) is also acceptable.
- The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Japan Committee will be in
charge of accepting names and messages sent through the Internet,
counting them, and protecting your private information.
- Your message and illustration may be used on our Web site, leaflet,
and/or magazines for the purpose of public affairs and promotion.
Copyright of the messages and illustrations basically belong to JAXA.
[Sending a message as a group]
Those who are a group of over 100 members in Japan (such as a
school, kindergarten, company, residents' association, hobby's
club, science museum, or event organization team) can send a
message via conventional postal mail. Please write your message as
large and clearly as possible within a limited paper size (A4). We
can accept an illustration, but please remember that everything
will be carved in black and white. Send your group name and a
message on an A4 size paper (if your paper size is different,
please make a contraction /enlargement copy to make it size A4)
and write the following on the backside of the paper: the number
of people in your group (over 100 people is the norm), the address,
name, age, gender, telephone no, e-mail address of a
representative of a group. (If no e-mail address is available,
please send a postcard for a reply with your address and name and a
50-yen stamp on the front side). Send your message (and a reply
postcard, if necessary) to the following address.
JAXA ISAS "AKATSUKI" Campaign Office
3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 229-8510
- We will e-mail you (or send a reply postcard back in the case you
send it to us) to let you know that we will have received your
message.
- We will not send you back your message. Your message and
illustration may be used on our Web site, leaflet, and/or
magazines for the purpose of public affairs and promotion. (Please
refrain from sending any information, messages and/or illustrations
that you do not want us to publish, such as personal information.)
Copyright of the messages and illustrations basically belong to
JAXA.
- Please be aware that messages will be scaled down by a large
percentage when they are printed on an aluminum plate.
- JAXA (ISAS) will be in charge of accepting names and messages,
counting them, and protecting your private information.
For inquiries about this campaign
JAXA "AKATSUKI" Campaign Office
Tel. 042-759-8646 (or +81-42-759-8646)
Reference
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/10/20091023_akatsuki_campaign_e.html#at
This page URL:
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/10/20091023_akatsuki_campaign_e.html
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December 4, 2009 Updated
Solar sail "IKAROS x Light Sail" Support Campaign
-- Let's set sail for the solar system by a solar yacht! --
A yacht travels through the ocean by wind pressure, then, theoretically, solar sails should move their way in space by receiving pressure of solar lights. JAXA and the Planetary Society of the U.S. will launch "IKAROS (Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun)" and "Light Sail-1" respectively in Japan Fiscal Year 2010 to carry out the verification tests of this technology. Taking this opportunity, the two organizations would like to hold a message campaign together to ask your support for the two missions.
If we can verify that solar sails move forward by solar lights, it will be a new propulsion technology that can save engine power and fuel consumption. For the successful verification, we would like to ask your support. Your messages will be attached to the IKAROS and Light Sail-1 to travel around space. We can accept your message till March 14, 2010 (Japan Standard Time.)
Campaign Site : http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_cam/e/index.html
Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator (IKAROS) : http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/e/activity/ikaros.html
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The Cassini spacecraft also visited Venus.
And so did the Galileo spacecraft before it went off to a double fly-by of Earth and finally off to Jupiter.
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The PLANET-C is supposed to be launched at the beginning on 2010 and will be the first mission to Venus in almost 20 years.
Um, I know it may look like the mission doesn't even exist judging by the lack of press releases, but aren't you forgetting ESA's Venus Express?
Sorry! My bad! I had the Magellan probe in mind.
No problemo.
From the diagram, it appears Planet-C will take the low-energy
(Hohmann Transfer Orbit) path to Venus, arriving in Dec,12, 2010.
A simple calculation then shows that it would take 150 days, give or
take a week, to go from Earth to Venus.
Launch would then take place in July, 2010.
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The Cassini spacecraft also visited Venus.
However, it performed next to no scientific observations due to IIRC solar thermal constraints and no budget allocated for science planning. Only some calibration measurements were taken.
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*** JAXA MAIL SERVICE ***
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation of the Sun (IKAROS)
International Message Campaign for Mission Support
December 4, 2009 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is scheduled to launch
the Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun
(IKAROS)*1 by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle in Japan Fiscal Year 2010 (as a
secondary payload to the main payload, Venus Climate Orbiter
"AKATSUKI.")
We would like to launch a mission support campaign together with The
Planetary Society in the United States, which also plans to launch a
solar sail spacecraft named "LightSail-1"*2 at the end of 2010.
JAXA would like to encourage people all over the world to send us
their supportive messages to be carried aboard the IKAROS and the
LightSail-1 on printed aluminum plates or on a Mini-DVD. We sincerely
hope that our campaign will accelerate this international
collaboration, exchange and promote the public's understanding of
solar sail research and development.
The following is the information about the campaign.
1. Campaign name
"Let's Set Sail for the Solar System on a Solar Yacht!"
2. Campaign period
December 4 (Fri.), 2009 through March 14 (Sun.),
2010 (Japan Standard Time) for the Mini-DVD,
December 4 (Fri.), 2009 through February 28 (Sun.),
2010 (Japan Standard Time) for printed metal plates.
3. How to apply
Please send messages through the following websites.
English site: http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/e/index.html
Japanese site: http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/index.html
Your names and messages will be recorded and printed.
We are looking forward to hearing from many of you.
*1 IKAROS is a spacecraft that cruises by reflecting sunlight on its
deployed membrane. While gaining propulsive force from sunlight,
IKAROS also generates electric power from the thin film solar cells
spanned on its membrane. IKAROS will be the first spacecraft in the
world to demonstrate solar photon sail technology in interplanetary
space and generate electric power from the thin film solar cells
aboard.
*2 The Planetary Society is one of the world's leading organizations
to promote planetary missions and exploration through flight
projects, public relations, and educational activities. The
LightSail-1 is a kite-shape spacecraft with a 5.5m x 5.5m square
sail to reflect sunlight on an earth-revolving orbit at an altitude
of 800 km. It will demonstrate that sunlight can provide propulsive
power to spacecraft.
For more details about IKAROS, please check the following site.
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/e/activity/ikaros.html
This page URL:
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/12/20091204_ikaros_e.html
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The Planetary Society is now collecting names for the Akatsuki mission as well...complete with a certificate that looks much better than the one the JAXA site provides. ;)
http://www.planetary.org/special/fromearth/akatsuki
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*** JAXA MAIL SERVICE ***
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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Launch Day of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 (H-IIA F17)
March 3, 2010 (JST)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency (JAXA) would like to announce that the launch of the H-IIA
Launch Vehicle No. 17 (H-IIA F17) with the Venus Climate Orbiter
"AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C) onboard was reported to the Space Activities
Commission (SAC) as follows.
We will also provide orbit injection opportunities for the Small Solar
Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS" and four small payloads manufactured
by universities and other institutions using the excessive launch
capability of the H-IIA F17.
Scheduled date of Launch: May 18 (Tuesday,) 2010 (Japan Standard Time)
Launch time: 6:44:14 a.m. (Japan Standard Time)
Launch Windows: May 19 (Wed.) through June 3 (Thu.), 2010
*Launch time will be set for each launch day if the launch is delayed.
Launch site: Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Center
This page URL:
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/03/20100303_h2af17_e.html
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Reference:
AKATSUKI Special Site
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/index_e.html
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Publisher : Public Affairs Department
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Marunouchi Kitaguchi Building,
1-6-5, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8260
Japan
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March 18, 2010 Updated
AKATSUKI leaves for Tanegashima
The Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" left the Sagamihara Campus for the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) on the evening of March 17.
The AKATSUKI will be delivered to the TNSC on the 19th. It will undergo final launch preparations there.
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/index_e.html
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Here's a nice video (in Japanese) with neat animations showing what we can expect from IKAROS, and how the deployment sequence will look like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_6HOqBkP2o
Looking forward to finally seeing a working solar sail :)
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Looking forward to finally seeing a working solar sail :)
Nice video. What I'm most interested in is the thin-film solar array on the solar sail. The website says they are 25 microns thick. Including the 7 micron substrate and, say, 3 microns of slush, for 35 microns and assuming a density the same as silicon (substrate density is probably more like 1kg/liter) which is 2.33kg/l, and 10% efficient thin-film cells near Earth orbit, this should have a specific power greater than 1000W/kg, or greater specific power than any other deployed array by about a factor of 10. (That would be neglecting the wires and the weights on the ends of the sail and assuming the whole thing was covered with solar cells.) Clearly, this is an extremely light-weight deployment method for solar cells! A similar solar sail with a length of 100m (about the size of the ISS) could produce over a megawatt, yet weigh only a ton. Obviously, though, you are trading low mass for low stiffness, here, which presents difficulties, but you get a heck of a lot of power for your mass (plus, thin-film is usually cheaper than triple-junction). It will be interesting to see what kind of delta-v the hybrid propulsion follow-on will be capable of over its mission (hybrid solar sail and ion propulsion).
Also, the Very-Long-Baseline-Interferometry (VLBI) is neat.
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Two photos of Akatsuki and IKAROS being mated together
http://www.stp.isas.jaxa.jp/venus/
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Really excited about Jaxa's work off late, they seem to be very forward thinking.
Just out of interest, is anyone aware of how much power is expected from the sail?
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The poster and leaflet for the launch of AKATSUKI by H-IIA Flight 17 are ready.
We have also prepared wallpapers for a computer and browser dress-up (Firefox.)
Why don't you place a poster in your room, office or classroom, and put wallpaper on your PC desktop to support the launch!
Poster (http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/pdf/h2af17_poster.pdf)
Flier (http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/pdf/h2af17_flier.pdf)
AKATSUKI 1/30 scale paper craft (http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/special/img/papercraft.pdf)
Wallpaper and Dress-up for your browser (http://www.jaxaclub.jp/cgi-bin/index.cgi?MODE=GOODS_DETAIL&ID=601) (You need to register with the JAXA club.)
Dress-up for your browser (http://www.getpersonas.com/en-US/gallery/Designer/JAXA_Club) (Personas for FireFox)
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Really excited about Jaxa's work off late, they seem to be very forward thinking.
Just out of interest, is anyone aware of how much power is expected from the sail?
If you have a reasonable math skills then try this equation to help yourself get the answer:
a = 2Isr/cm
a = acceleration
I = solar radiation intensity (watts/meter squared) i.e. 1400 W/m^2
s = surface area of sail
r = reflection efficiency
m = mass
c = speed of light
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Really excited about Jaxa's work off late, they seem to be very forward thinking.
Just out of interest, is anyone aware of how much power is expected from the sail?
If you have a reasonable math skills then try this equation to help yourself get the answer:
a = 2Isr/m
a = acceleration
I = solar radiation intensity (watts/meter squared) i.e. 1400 W/m^2
s = surface area of sail
r = reflection efficiency
m = mass
I believe he's talking about electrical power. The sail is going to only be partially covered in solar panels (just a tiny fraction of the total sail's area), it's going to be closer to the Sun than the Earth is (if it's near Venus, that means the 1370W/m^2 is doubled), and will use thin-film solar cells, which are usually only 10% efficient at best.
It will be hard to guess how much power is to be expected, since the insolation is unknown, the surface area of the solar arrays is unknown, and the efficiency of the cells is unknown. Unknown to us, that is. We can make educated guesses at these quantities, but that's about it, unless someone fills us in.
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Really excited about Jaxa's work off late, they seem to be very forward thinking.
Just out of interest, is anyone aware of how much power is expected from the sail?
If you have a reasonable math skills then try this equation to help yourself get the answer:
a = 2Isr/cm
a = acceleration
I = solar radiation intensity (watts/meter squared) i.e. 1400 W/m^2
s = surface area of sail
r = reflection efficiency
m = mass
c = speed of light
I believe he's talking about electrical power. The sail is going to only be partially covered in solar panels (just a tiny fraction of the total sail's area), it's going to be closer to the Sun than the Earth is (if it's near Venus, that means the 1370W/m^2 is doubled), and will use thin-film solar cells, which are usually only 10% efficient at best.
It will be hard to guess how much power is to be expected, since the insolation is unknown, the surface area of the solar arrays is unknown, and the efficiency of the cells is unknown. Unknown to us, that is. We can make educated guesses at these quantities, but that's about it, unless someone fills us in.
We'll have to get Robson68 to reply to know for sure.
But here's an example of how small the acceleration of a hypothetical solar sail will be:
but if m = 100kg.
I = 2700 W/m^2 (near Venus)
s =100 m^2
r = 0.9
a = (2)2700(0.9)(100) / 3.0 x 10^8 (100)
The acceleration is tiny. It would take you a week to accelerate to a DeltaV of about 10m/s (jogging speed)
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We'll have to get Robson68 to reply to know for sure.
But here's an example of how small the acceleration of a hypothetical solar sail will be:
but if m = 100kg.
I = 2700 W/m^2 (near Venus)
s =100 m^2
r = 0.9
a = (2)2700(0.9)(100) / 3.0 x 10^8 (100)
The acceleration is tiny. It would take you a week to accelerate to a DeltaV of about 10m/s (jogging speed)
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Sorry for the confusion folks, yes acceleration (power, lol). Jogging speed will be enough for me, you cant run before you walk.
I guess the biggest hurdle is will it deploy correctly, lets hope so (fingers crossed). As I mentioned I am really impressed with JAXA. I hope they receieve some good fortune for Hayabusa, staggering achievement really.
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Akatsuki and IKAROS are now encapsulated in the H-2A rocket's payload fairing
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/topics_e.html
Next up should be the move to the Vehicle Assembly Building so the payload could be mated with the H-2A itself...
11 Days and counting 8)
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Better-quality pics of the encapsulation
http://www.stp.isas.jaxa.jp/venus/index.html
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Akatsuki and IKAROS about to be transported to the VAB for mating to H-2A rocket
http://twitter.com/ikaroskun/status/13593614219
And here are photos showing the aluminum plates containing 63,248 names and a Planetary Society-provided DVD containing 89,000 names (that were submitted online between December of last year and March 22) being installed onto IKAROS
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Good-quality photos of the VAB move and H-2A mating
http://www.stp.isas.jaxa.jp/venus/
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http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/live/index_e.html
JAXA will broadcast the launch of the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" and the Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS" by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 (H-IIA F17) from the Tanegashima Space Center through the Internet.
*The copyright of the JAXA broadcast belongs to JAXA.
Broadcast Schedule
From 6:15 a.m. on May 18 (Tue) (about 75 minutes)
*The above schedule is subject to change due to the preparation status and weather conditions.
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One of the piggy back payloads Negai☆″, developed by Soka university.
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With Akatsuki, IKAROS, and 4 minisats, no less than 6 spacecraft are put on an interplanetary orbit in a single launch. Is this a record?
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Actually, I think only 3 of the 6 spacecraft (Akatsuki, IKAROS and UNITEC-1) will be on an interplanetary trajectory. The 3 minisats (Negai, WASEDA and KSAT) will be released before Akatsuki separates from the upper stage
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Actually, I think only 3 of the 6 spacecraft (Akatsuki, IKAROS and UNITEC-1) will be on an interplanetary trajectory. The 3 minisats (Negai, WASEDA and KSAT) will be released before Akatsuki separates from the upper stage
That is correct.
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Photos showing the H-2A rocket rolling out to the launch pad
http://h2a.mhi.co.jp/mission/results/f17countdown_en.html
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Moved for live coverage
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How long after launch until Ikaros is deployed?
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How long after launch until Ikaros is deployed?
According to the launch plan (http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/pdf/plan_h2af17_e.pdf) after 43 minutes and 27 seconds
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http://twitter.com/Hayabusa_JAXA
The launch of @Akatsuki_JAXA, @ikaroskun & 4 cubesats by H-IIA F17 will be webcasted from 6:15, May 18 JST! http://bit.ly/aodJbf (delta-V)
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/live/index_e.html
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I've probably missed it in the thread, but do with have a GMT for the launch time?
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I've probably missed it in the thread, but do with have a GMT for the launch time?
I believe launch time is 21:44 GMT.
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I've probably missed it in the thread, but do with have a GMT for the launch time?
I believe launch time is 21:44 GMT.
Excellent, back end of STS-132 FD4, so that helps :)
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Launch time is 21:44:14 GMT.
And UNITEC-1 home page is here.
http://www.unisec.jp/unitec-1/en/top.html
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IKAROS graphics.
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/e/activity/ikaros.html
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H-IIA Flight 17 was specially early rollout (L-24 hours). Nominal L-12 hours.
The reason is due to workload balance.
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Launch preview, made up of content from various overview sites that were in English :)
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/05/axa-launch-h-iia-carrying-akatsuki-ikaros/
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A pre-dawn image of H-2A at Launch Pad 1
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Most recent photo.
Weather is not so good (windy and scattered showers). But may be no ploblem.
http://www.sacj.org/openbbs/ (Japanese site)
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very boring live feed this one. No other views, no cheering up, no self-advertising etc... and no sound loops either... well, I think we wouldn't understand japanese so..
Lets hope this gets better as things proceed towards liftoff :)
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.. and now we have a broadcast!
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very boring live feed this one. No other views, no cheering up, no self-advertising etc... and no sound loops either... well, I think we wouldn't understand japanese so..
Lets hope this gets better as things proceed towards liftoff :)
And here we go! ;)
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No cartoon engineer running around the screen either. Used to love that on JAXA webcasts :)
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...and the webcast is in japanese. Can someone transribe ;)
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...and the webcast is in japanese. Can someone transribe ;)
Sorry, I must watched STS-132 Briefing.
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nice windscreen wiper on the camera :)
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Definitely not Kathy Winters
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Raining at Tanegashima Space Center... Not seeing anything online regarding a 'No-Go' status.
I wish this broadcast had closed-captioning!
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Scrub!
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Scrub due to weather.
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SCRUB because of weather!
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ah well, it was nice of them to give the scrub notice in english... :P
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Weather forecast to be bleak for pretty much this entire week. Akatsuki/IKAROS have till June 3 to get off the ground.
EDIT: The weather probably won't be ideal for launch till May 25 (Tuesday)
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Changed the thread title, changed the article, back to STS-132! We'll keep the updates and attempt 2 on this thread.
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Today's transport for the launch pad. Images from http://blog.livedoor.jp/h2a_f8/
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Images from http://blog.livedoor.jp/h2a_f8/
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Images from http://blog.livedoor.jp/h2a_f8/
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Images from http://blog.livedoor.jp/h2a_f8/
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I think Next Launch oppotunity is may be 21(Fri.)
3 days need for nominal de-tanking case.
Also weather is improve 21th.
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Thanks Fuji. Do you know what the launch time for that day will be?
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*** JAXA MAIL SERVICE ***
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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Launch Postponement of
Venus Climate Orbiter 'AKATSUKI' (PLANET-C)
by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17
May 18, 2010 (JST)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency would like to announce that we have decided to postpone the
launch of the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C) by H-IIA
Launch Vehicle No. 17 (H-IIA F17) as we observed clouds including a
freezing layer (see attachment) that exceeded the restriction for the
suitable weather.
The launch was originally scheduled for May 18, 2010 (Japan Standard
Time, JST.) from the Tanegashima Space Center.
We will inform the new launch date as soon as it is determined.
This page URL:
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/05/20100518_h2af17_e.html
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NEW LAUNCH DATE SET: May 21 at 6:58:22 AM, Japan Time (May 20, 5:58:22 PM, EDT...or 21:58:22 UTC)
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/topics_e.html
Here's a screenshot of the H-2A rolling back to the VAB
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Weather constraints thick cloud includeing a freezing layer, which trigger the lightning was violated.
Same situations as H-IIA F15 scrub.
Launch time will be delayed 4 to 5 minutes per day.
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Realigned the thread with the current NET of the 20th.
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H-2A at the pad once more..
http://h2a.mhi.co.jp/mission/results/f17countdown_en.html
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Go for tanking.
http://h2a.mhi.co.jp/mission/results/f17countdown_en.html
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Excellent. Hopeful on the weather forecast?
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Transporting H-2A (F-17) to the LP1 pad at Tanegashima. Images from http://blog.livedoor.jp/h2a_f8/
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MOre images from http://blog.livedoor.jp/h2a_f8/
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Excellent. Hopeful on the weather forecast?
Weather is cloudy and not bad.
But, freezing layer forcast is difficalt. I don't kow detail.
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According to JAXA "Terminal countdown operations have started. Access is restricted inside a 400 meters radius from the launch pad."
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Tanking complete. fully loaded.
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Tanking complete. fully loaded.
5 hours before T-0? Any reason to be tanked for so long?
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How is the weather looking today? :)
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On IKAROS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_6HOqBkP2o
It seems according to this video there will be 4 small cameras monitoring membrane deployment, plus two jettisoned cameras.
First of all, I am a fan of just putting a camera on even small spacecraft now that even the cheapest cellphones now have them (they are tiny and weight about a gram (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=637)).
Does anyone know how heavy these small cameras are? Exactly how big are the deployable cameras? (DCAM1 and DCAM2, I believe)
Also, when will we be able to see membrane deployment?
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BTW, by looking at this page (actually, the second page, not this first one):
http://journal.mycom.co.jp/articles/2010/03/12/planet-c_ikaros/001.html
with Google translate:
http://translate.google.com/#
I have gleaned some more information on IKAROS.
One thing is that full sail deployment should take about a month or so (please correct me!). Another is that the thin film solar cells are using amorphous silicon cells operating at 5% efficiency and 25 microns thick. They looked at other options, but at the time in 2007, the a-Si cells were the only ones available, though they are considering things like CIGS (which have approached 20% efficiency, BTW), and they expect the next mission (to Jupiter) that uses a solar sail solar array for power for ion thrusters to have a thickness of 5 microns (greatly decreasing weight).
Very interesting, for even at only 5% efficiency and the thicker 25 microns, that works out to about 900W/kg specific power, neglecting the other parts of the spacecraft.
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http://h2a.mhi.co.jp/mission/results/f17countdown_en.html
Attitude control system flight slew test completed
May 21, 2010 05:13 JST
The second attitude control system flight slew test has been completed.
(That's 3:13pm Central time)
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mms://wm-jaxalive.bmcdn.jp/akatsuki-live1Z-400k
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Live from Tanegashima...
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Thanks Satori. The weather definitely is an improvement from 3 days ago..
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On IKAROS:
It seems according to this video there will be 4 small cameras monitoring membrane deployment, plus two jettisoned cameras.
First of all, I am a fan of just putting a camera on even small spacecraft now that even the cheapest cellphones now have them (they are tiny and weight about a gram (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=637)).
Does anyone know how heavy these small cameras are? Exactly how big are the deployable cameras? (DCAM1 and DCAM2, I believe)
Also, when will we be able to see membrane deployment?
DCAM Photos
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Lots of hosepipes in action.
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Webcast show has started.
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Acceptable weather sign on the webcast.
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T-8 minutes - Final count
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We're into the terminal count!
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Beautiful launch site, really is.
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T-6 minutes.
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T-6 minutes
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T-four minutes.
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First stage LH2 pressurized.
T-2 minutes.
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First stage LO2 pressurized.
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Second stage LH2 and LO2 pressurized.
T-60 seconds.
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Launch!
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LAUNCH!
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Wow that thing books!!!!
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Pitch program in first stage complete.
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T+60 seconds "the flight is very smooth".
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SRB-A Burnout.
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SRB-A Jettison.
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SRB jettison
congrats, so far, Japan!
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105 km at 1.5km/s?
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T+3 minutes.
First stage flight nominal.
105km altitude.
1.7kms velocity.
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fairing jettison
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Fairing jettison.
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ooo! watching the rocket cam and the fairing jettison!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF5zNuWLIxI
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first stage engine cut-off
first stage sep
2nd stage engine start
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First stage MECO.
Staging. 1-2 Sep.
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Second stage ignition.
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those rocketcams are almost certainly from an earlier flight, as they weren't shown "live".
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2nd-stage "first-time cut-out" ;)
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They're going to separate three of the mini-sats one-by-one in about a minute.
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those rocketcams are almost certainly from an earlier flight, as they weren't shown "live".
It showed fairing sep with what looks like akatsuki.
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2nd stage engine second time engine start (I think that means the 3 smaller satellites are separated).
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It showed fairing sep with what looks like akatsuki.
It's Akatsuki. That pod that's sticking out from the upper stage in the foreground is what's holding the minisats in place (don't know if it's UNITEC-1 or the 3 other spacecraft, though)
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Empty pad at Tanegashima...
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2nd stage engine second time shut off
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Akatsuki separation confiremed! NHK live broadcast.
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Akatsuki separation confiremed! NHK live broadcast.
Congratulations!
Now for IKAROS... (second stage needs to spin at ~5rpm to spin-stabilize IKAROS)
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Just Unitec-1 left to go.. any moment now
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Applause, so that sounds like a full success. Congrats to all involved!
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Unitec-1 was separated.
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Webcast end!
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Does anyone know where I can find status updates on IKAROS deployment and operations?
Good job, Japan!
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Does anyone know where I can find status updates on IKAROS deployment and operations?
Good job, Japan!
IKAROS blog. But Japanese only ???
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/
I think IKAROS operations will be start this evening (about 10 hours or so?).
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Space-Track now giving the H2 Earth parking orbit as 2010-020A, 292 x 306 km x 30.0 deg
We expect the following objects to be cataloged:
Akatsuki
H-2A F17 Stage 2
Ikaros
Unitec-1
Waseda-Sat 2
Negai*
KSAT
PAF900M adapter
but of course we'll only get orbital data for the Earth orbiting ones (the three cubesats)
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Does anyone know where I can find status updates on IKAROS deployment and operations?
Good job, Japan!
IKAROS blog. But Japanese only ???
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/
I think IKAROS operations will be start this evening (about 10 hours or so?).
THank you very much! Chrome (the web browser) has integrated translation, so Japanese is no problem.
Congratulations, everyone, and my deepest respect! Onward, to the stars!
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Does anyone know where I can find status updates on IKAROS deployment and operations?
Good job, Japan!
http://twitter.com/ikaroskun
If you have Google toolbar, it should automatically translate for you.
Oh, and NICE LAUNCH! Though JAXA can learn a thing or two from NASA TV launch broadcasts in terms of long-range camera tracking of rockets in flight. (I know it was cloudy, but KSC cameras were able to track the Atlas V liftoff through payload fairing jettison during New Horizon's launch in '06...and it was pretty cloudy that day as well)
And showing LIVE rocketcam images like those on shuttle launches. No worries. :)
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Thanks for the coverage everyone, and congrats JAXA!
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Apologies for the idiot that posted the undesirable comment. Removed and member banned.
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
*** JAXA MAIL SERVICE ***
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Launch Result of
the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C)
aboard H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.17
May 21, 2010 (JST)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency (JAXA) launched the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C)
aboard H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 (H-IIA F17) at 6:58:22 a.m. on May
21, 2010 (Japan Standard Time, JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center.
The launch vehicle flew smoothly, and, at about 27 minutes and 29
seconds after liftoff, the separation of the AKATSUKI was confirmed.
We would like to express our profound appreciation for the cooperation
and support of all related personnel and organizations that helped
contribute to the successful launch of the H-IIA F17.
At the time of the launch, the weather was light cloudiness, a wind
speed was 2.4 meters/second from the north-north-east, and the
temperature was 21.2 degrees Celsius.
This page URL:
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/05/20100521_h2a-f17_e.html
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AKATSUKI has confirmed solar array deployment and solar acquisition attitude.
Telemetry confirmed from IKAROS, KSAT and Negai☆" .
Add information: UNITEC-1 telemetry also recieved.
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AKATSUKI's Venus arrival will be Dec. 7th.
Press briefing summary is here (Japanese).
http://www.sacj.org/openbbs/
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Launch images from Mitsubishi
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz9WLNthtTY
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Initial Operation Result of
the Venus Climate Orbiter 'AKATSUKI'
May 21, 2010 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) received the signal transmitted from the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" at the Uchinoura Space Center at 4:40 p.m. on May 21, 2010 (Japan Standard Time, JST), and confirmed that the scheduled sequence of events including the solar array paddle deployment and sun acquisition were successfully performed.
The AKATSUKI was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center at 6:58:22 a.m. on May 21, 2010 (JST)
The orbiter is currently in a healthy state.
We are preparing for the AKATSUKI injection into the Venus orbit in early December while checking functions of the onboard equipment and controlling the attitude and orbit.
We would like to express our profound appreciation for the cooperation and support of all related personnel and organizations that helped contribute to the successful launch and tracking and control operations of the AKATSUKI.
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/05/20100521_akatsuki_e.html
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The Operation Status of
the Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator 'IKAROS'
May 22, 2010 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) acquired the signal transmitted from the IKAROS at the Usuda Deep Space Station and confirmed its solar power generation and stable posture, and established communications. We will turn on onboard devices one by one.
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/05/20100522_ikaros_e.html
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'First Light' images taken of Earth with Akatsuki's LIR, UVI and IR1 instruments
http://www.stp.isas.jaxa.jp/venus/
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From Japanese medeia information.
IKAROS's Solar sail deployment will may be eary Jun.
Early shooting of the AKATSUKI's observation camera is unusual. Thanks for the launch trajectry was so accurate and no need for course correction maneuver.
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A short view of the launch from an airplane:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz9WLNthtTY
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From the IKAROS blog (translated by Google):
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/
Production room after establishing a communications link with IKAROS, as we celebrated with a cake celebrating the success orbit!
;D
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Nice to see quick turnaround on the first light images. Congratulations to JAXA on a successful start to the missions, and thanks for taking outreach seriously :)
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IKAROS moves to Verification Experiment Phase
May 24, 2010 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) completed the initial
operation check of the Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS,"
which was launched on May 21, 2010 (Japan Standard Time,) from the
Tanegashima Space Center.
We will take a few weeks to carry out the first verification
experiments, namely deployment of the solar sail and solar power
generation by thin film solar cells.
This page URL:
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/05/20100524_ikaros_e.html
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Contact was lost three small satellite, UNITEC-1, KSAT and Wasedasat-2.
These satellites operations are resopnsible individual team. JAXA has not support the operations.
UNITEC-1 has contact after launch, but lost the contact after that.
Other two small satellites were not recieved telemetry after launch.
AKATSUKI and IKAROS are so far good shape.
One small satellite Negai☆ has operations normally.
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Out of interest how many satalites were launched on the rocket?
Any news on when the solar sail will be deployed and will there be pictures?
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Contact was lost three small satellite, UNITEC-1, KSAT and Wasedasat-2.
These satellites operations are resopnsible individual team. JAXA has not support the operations.
UNITEC-1 has contact after launch, but lost the contact after that.
Other two small satellites were not recieved telemetry after launch.
AKATSUKI and IKAROS are so far good shape.
One small satellite Negai☆ has operations normally.
That's very sad, particularly about UNITEC which was the first non-governmental probe in solar orbit. Do you know if they have completely given up hope, or are they still tryihg to contact it? When did they lose touch?
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Out of interest how many satalites were launched on the rocket?
Any news on when the solar sail will be deployed and will there be pictures?
6 satellites launched onboard the rocket [Akatsuki, IKAROS, UNITEC (all 3 heading to Venus) and 3 Earth-orbiting satellites mentioned above]... IKAROS began deploying the sail already and should be completed sometime next month.
A small camera will be jettisoned from IKAROS to take a picture of the sail once it completely unfurls (successfully)
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Out of interest how many satalites were launched on the rocket?
Any news on when the solar sail will be deployed and will there be pictures?
6 satellites launched onboard the rocket... IKAROS began deploying the sail already and should be completed sometime next month.
A small camera will be jettisoned from IKAROS to take a picture of the sail once it completely unfurls (successfully)
Cool! I can't wait!
Are there other cameras besides the jettisoned one? The IKAROS video seemed to show four camera views of the sail deploying, but I don't know if that was just for show or not (I don't understand Japanese very well).
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I think there are cameras on the side of IKAROS... They'll probably be used to photograph the sail to make sure its deploying properly
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Contact was lost three small satellite, UNITEC-1, KSAT and Wasedasat-2.
These satellites operations are resopnsible individual team. JAXA has not support the operations.
UNITEC-1 has contact after launch, but lost the contact after that.
Other two small satellites were not recieved telemetry after launch.
AKATSUKI and IKAROS are so far good shape.
One small satellite Negai☆ has operations normally.
That's very sad, particularly about UNITEC which was the first non-governmental probe in solar orbit. Do you know if they have completely given up hope, or are they still tryihg to contact it? When did they lose touch?
According to German AmSat site, there was only one successful contact of UNITEC-1 by a Japanese site the day after launch. The German site had tried for 4 days to receive signals and had given up. Indeed a pity.
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Not a surprise that contact with UNITEC-1 was lost... I read somewhere that the spacecraft doesn't have an attitude control system, so it would eventually begin tumbling in space and lose direct communications with Earth.
Probably the same situation with the other minisats as well
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AKATSUKI/H-IIAF17 Quick Review [HD]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exl00XUq7So
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IKAROS Update:
-IKAROS is 2,266,103 miles (3,646,160 km) from Earth as of today
-the spacecraft is currently spinning at 20 rpm...will increase to 25 rpm by tomorrow before the solar sail finally begins full deployment this week
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/
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New images taken by IKAROS...showing that the four counterweights on each outer tip of the solar sail have successfully separated from the spacecraft on May 28 :)
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_channel/bn004.html
As an FYI, three of those four counterweights contain many aluminum plates engraved with the names of 63,248 people. These names were submitted online as part of a public outreach effort by JAXA between December 2009 and March 22 of this year.
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New images taken by IKAROS...showing that the four counterweights on each outer tip of the solar sail have successfully separated from the spacecraft on May 28 :)
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_channel/bn004.html
That's great! It thought there were cameras to watch each corner. Very cool! Can't wait for successful power production!
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KSAT was finally successfull contact with the radio signal on Jun 1.
IKAROS was ready for sail deploy.
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More images taken by IKAROS. Official first stage sail deployment begins tomorrow :)
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?itemid=526
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Intial sail deployment start!
The four arms of the cross shape was stretched 2.7m.
Intial sail deployment will be continued tomorrow.
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?itemid=536
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Intial sail deployment was continued today.
The four arms of the cross shape stretched to 5.3m.
The length of the IKAROS (tip to tip) was stretched to over 10m.
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?itemid=546
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The Ikaros spacecraft could be a very important pathfinder spacecraft for the history books if that solar sail works.
By the way I wonder if Ikaros' camera will be able to take some shots of Venus with the sail in the foreground when it flys by that planet. That would be one spectacular shot.
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By the way I wonder if Ikaros' camera will be able to take some shots of Venus with the sail in the foreground when it flys by that planet. That would be one spectacular shot.
I was thinking the same thing. That would be AWESOME
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IKAROS sail deployment will be delayed.
IKAROS successfully deployed the second day of the solar sail initial deployment.
However, there are some differences between the numerical model and results of the flight data, a cautious reaction to the implementation of the final deployment for more reliable, and we do consider to add more numerical model study.
Therefore, Final sail deployment and Initial sail deployment day 3 will be delayed NET June 08 (Tuesday).
The IKAROS is in good condition.
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?itemid=549
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Sail Deployment Schedule for IKAROS
(SUCCESSFUL) June 2 (Wednesday) evening - midnight: pre-deployment check sail (motor and commissioning)
(SUCCESSFUL) June 3 (Thursday) evening - the night: the early development of first stage sail deployment
(SUCCESSFUL) June 4 (Friday) evening - midnight: Day 2 Official first stage sail deployment
June 08 (Tuesday) evening - midnight: Day 3 Official second (and final) stage sail deployment
Tuesday, June 09 (Wednesday) evening - midnight: Review of second stage sail deployment
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/
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June 08 (Tuesday) evening - midnight: Day 3 of first stage sail deployment complete.
Due to time consuming the attitude evaluation and video data confirmation in a careful way, Second (and final) stage sail deployment will be delayed tomorrow. Tuesday, June 09 (Wednesday) evening - midnight.
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/
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First stage sail deployment (half deploy) picture.
More pictures are here.
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?itemid=564
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First stage sail deployment (complete) picture.
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/index.php?itemid=565
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IKAROS successfully deploys sail!
The Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator “IKAROS” launched by the H-IIA F17 began to deploy its sail on June 3 (Japan Standard Time, JST,) and on June 10 (JST,) about 7.7 million km from the Earth, JAXA confirmed the proper extension of the sail and power generation by the thin film solar cells.
We will continue to measure the power generation status of the cells attached to the sail, and will verify acceleration by the cells and orbit control by their acceleration.
Press release (English version).
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100611_ikaros_e.html
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Second stage deployment complete!
The Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS" launched by the H-IIA F17 began to deploy its sail on June 3 (Japan Standard Time, JST,) and on June 10 (JST,) about 7.7 million km from the Earth, JAXA confirmed the proper extension of the sail and power generation by the thin film solar cells.
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/index_e.html
Wooo!!!
That's wonderful! power generation by thin-film solar cells, too, with a gossamer-thin deployment method! That means solar arrays with a specific power of 1000+W/kg are feasible (though this was more like 600-800W/kg if they covered the whole thing with these same thin-film solar cells, since these cells are less efficient than other comparable thin-film cells at only 5% efficiency).
Congratulation, IKAROS team, on acheiving minimum success criteria!
Here's the full press release (in Japanese):
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100611_ikaros_j.html
And the Google translation into English:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100611_ikaros_j.html&ei=5qIRTKe_EMiTnQf4sb2RAw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBUQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100611_ikaros_j.html%26hl%3Den (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100611_ikaros_j.html&ei=5qIRTKe_EMiTnQf4sb2RAw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBUQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100611_ikaros_j.html%26hl%3Den)
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All that needs to be done now is for IKAROS to deploy those two free-floating cameras and photograph the sail in all its beauty :)
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Four monitor camera pictures after Second stage deployment.
CAM-H1
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_channel/images/005_001.jpg
CAM-H2
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_channel/images/005_002.jpg
CAM-H3
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_channel/images/005_003.jpg
CAM-H4
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_channel/images/005_004.jpg
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I hope they deploy that free-floating camera soon. Totally looking forward to seeing IKAROS in all its kite-shaped beauty
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/index.php?itemid=595
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Looks like the first of two free-floating cameras (DCAM 2) will be deployed from IKAROS today
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?itemid=629
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Looks like the first of two free-floating cameras (DCAM 2) will be deployed from IKAROS today
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?itemid=629
DCAM 2 was deployd and transmit the photo data.
DCAM is battery powerd, so operation is already end. World smallest interplanetary satellite. (Next will be DCAM 1 deploy)
DCAM 2 photo data was transmit to the Ikaros and relayed to downlink.
These photo data will be recieved and prosessed 1 to 2 days.
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Looks like the first of two free-floating cameras (DCAM 2) will be deployed from IKAROS today
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?itemid=629
DCAM 2 was deployd and transmit the photo data.
DCAM is battery powerd, so operation is already end. World smallest interplanetary satellite. (Next will be DCAM 1 deploy)
DCAM 2 photo data was transmit to the Ikaros and relayed to downlink.
These photo data will be recieved and prosessed 1 to 2 days.
Wow, thanks for this information!
I wonder, from how far away does this mini-probe take a picture? and from what corner / point of view?
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Looks like the first of two free-floating cameras (DCAM 2) will be deployed from IKAROS today
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?itemid=629
DCAM 2 was deployd and transmit the photo data.
DCAM is battery powerd, so operation is already end. World smallest interplanetary satellite. (Next will be DCAM 1 deploy)
DCAM 2 photo data was transmit to the Ikaros and relayed to downlink.
These photo data will be recieved and prosessed 1 to 2 days.
1 or 2 days? But I want it NOW!! I kid ;D
Anyways, DCAM 2 (and 1) are deployed from the front (Sun-facing side) of IKAROS... If things worked as plan, the camera should've taken images up to a distance where it captured a full shot of the solar sail.
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IKAROS successfully deploys sail!
Well done to the IKAROS team and all the people at JAXA for their work on this project! Another step closer to the dream of Arthur C Clarke!
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Does anyone know mass and size of the DCAM subsatellites?
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Does anyone know mass and size of the DCAM subsatellites?
Photo of the DCAM are here. very tiny subsatellites.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=18950.msg592901#msg592901
2nd photo shows size comparison Ikaros and DCAM ;)
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Finally, DCAM 2 photo released in the Japanese press release.
(English version will be issued later)
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100616_ikaros_j.html
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Finally, DCAM 2 photo released in the Japanese press release.
(English version will be issued later)
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100616_ikaros_j.html
Cool!
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Does anyone know mass and size of the DCAM subsatellites?
Photo of the DCAM are here. very tiny subsatellites.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=18950.msg592901#msg592901
2nd photo shows size comparison Ikaros and DCAM ;)
OK, so 6 cm in size and maybe I'm guessing half a kilo.
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Finally, DCAM 2 photo released in the Japanese press release.
(English version will be issued later)
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100616_ikaros_j.html
That looks just so awesome. Thanks!
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English press release was released.
Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator 'IKAROS' Successful Image Shooting by Separation Camera
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100616_ikaros_e.html
More photos here (but Japanese). It's great.
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_channel/bn006.html
DCAM operatinal time is 15 minutes (Due to battery life).
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Lovely video that shows planned operations of IKAROS. Some nice detail of planned maneuvering techniques towards the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_6HOqBkP2o...player_embedded
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IKAROS' spin rate has decreased from 2.5 rpm to 1.1 rpm to allow better stability of the sail membrane as it gets tested for attitude control
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/
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Hm. I thought DCAM1 was already jettisoned... I guess not
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?itemid=646
Since IKAROS is spinning at only 1.1 rpm, I would assume the deployment of DCAM1 will be much more stable than that of DCAM2...and that IKAROS will be better framed (much more centered) in the DCAM1 images this time around
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Hm. I thought DCAM1 was already jettisoned... I guess not
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?itemid=646
Since IKAROS is spinning at only 1.1 rpm, I would assume the deployment of DCAM1 will be much more stable than that of DCAM2...and that IKAROS will be better framed (much more centered) in the DCAM1 images this time around
They just finished the rehearsal of DCAM1 separation.
DCAM1 will be jettisoned this evening.
Since the strength of the separation spring of DCAM1 is weak, it can take a photograph for a long time than DCAM2.
And since a photograph is taken from the front, reflection of sunlight is stronger than DCAM2 and overexposure is expected.
However, it may be good for the check of LCD.
I wanted to see a self-portrait with the Venus background.
But temperature may exceed a limit.
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They mention something about the GAP ray observer experiment.
(Translated: "And today is one of the optional equipment GAP (ray observer) conducted a launch. GAP operating room and people have also come to the charge of Kanazawa University, now a bustling operation.")
Anyone know more details about that?
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Only thing I know about GAP is that it is located on the side facing away from the Sun on the main housing.
They have increased the spin rate to 1.4 rpm today trying to find the optimum balance between light pressure and spin rate. I am very curious to see what effect the LCD's have once they begin activating them.
They have also confirmed that the pictures were received by IKAROS from DCAM1 but have only downloaded one to Earth so far.
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They mention something about the GAP ray observer experiment.
(Translated: "And today is one of the optional equipment GAP (ray observer) conducted a launch. GAP operating room and people have also come to the charge of Kanazawa University, now a bustling operation.")
Anyone know more details about that?
GAP (Gamma-ray burst Polarimeter): The objective is to observe polarization of gamma-ray bursts (GRB) and to determine the direction of the GRB.
Here is a link to the GAP home page via the Google translator:
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://astro.s.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/~yonetoku/gap/index.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2522GAP%2522%2B%2522gamma%2Bray%2522%2B%2522ikaros%2522%26num%3D100%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&usg=ALkJrhimTKrne2kC3w-49tN9Jtf3VC9-Bw
And attached is a technical presentation of GAP (it has good photos of the hardware in it).
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GAP (Gamma-ray burst Polarimeter): The objective is to observe polarization of gamma-ray bursts (GRB) and to determine the direction of the GRB.
Here is a link to the GAP home page via the Google translator:
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://astro.s.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/~yonetoku/gap/index.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2522GAP%2522%2B%2522gamma%2Bray%2522%2B%2522ikaros%2522%26num%3D100%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&usg=ALkJrhimTKrne2kC3w-49tN9Jtf3VC9-Bw
And attached is a technical presentation of GAP (it has good photos of the hardware in it).
Thank you! :)
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DCAM 1 photo. Distance about 40cm.
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_channel/bn007.html
Photo caption: left to right, recieving antenna, DCAM 1 deployed place, shadow of the DCAM 1.
Other photos will be releaed later.
Continuing the GAP (Gamma-ray burst Polarimeter) activation, ALDN(dust counter) was activated.
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Thank you for the translation on the captions Fuji, I was scratching my head on second DCAM1 label. A shadow, I would never have guessed.
In looking at the tension on the tethers I suspect we are seeing the effect of the modifications to the spin rate.
The spin rate is currently 1.3 rpm. The angle to the Sun has been increasing steadily and is now at 14.3 degrees.
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New english video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZsrTID2mCs
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Other photos will be releaed later.
Do you know when that will be?
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Other photos will be releaed later.
Do you know when that will be?
I don't know. I'm not related to this program.
As far from the Earth, data transfer rate was lowerd. So, it takes much time. But, ???
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IKAROS Blog entry for today's Google translation is pretty poor but I think -
Today conducted a survey of the dynamics and attitude control for spin-up .
The attitude control to hold the first film will take place
We will check the movement of an ongoing demonstration unit to spray a little in advance.
- might mean that they are moving forward with testing the LCD attitude controls.
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DCAM1 images finally released
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_channel/bn009.html
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IKAROS Blog entry for today's Google translation is pretty poor but I think - Today conducted a survey of the dynamics and attitude control for spin-up .
The attitude control to hold the first film will take place
We will check the movement of an ongoing demonstration unit to spray a little in advance.
- might mean that they are moving forward with testing the LCD attitude controls.
You are right. LCD attitude control functional test is under way.
Attached photo shows that, blue area is LCD on and red ares is LCD off condition.
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JAXA's Press release
Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS"
Successful Image Shooting by the Second Separation Camera
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100628_ikaros_e.html
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What is the possible ultimate fate of Ikaros? Is there a maximum communications range? Can the inspection camera be also used to image asteroids or comets during a fly-by five or ten years from now? Can it achieve solar system escape velocity?
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Can the inspection camera be also used to image asteroids or comets during a fly-by five or ten years from now?
The inspection cams are wide angle and low resolution. Are there star trackers ?
What about mass measurements, since very precise tracking is required anyway ?
Can it achieve solar system escape velocity?
I don't think so. I wasn't able to find a simple estimate of the expected acceleration, but it's going to be very small. One of IKAROS main goals is to produce unambiguously detectable thrust. See http://www.mediatec-dif.com/issfd/IntMiDII/Yamaguchi.pdf
The proposed follow-on uses a much larger sail and ion propulsion for a Jupiter + Trojans mission.
High performance sail missions proposals usually use a "sun-diver" maneuver.
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Is there a maximum communications range?
Yes limitted. IKAROS has not High-gain antenna.
Can the inspection camera be also used to image asteroids or comets during a fly-by five or ten years from now? Can it achieve solar system escape velocity?
IKAROS's mission operation will be half year.
By the way, today's LCD attitude test was successful.
Operations phase was transfered to stable operations phase at Jun 30th.
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Yes, the LCDs seem to be working! For the first time in many days the sun angle has stopped increasing and has decreased to 12.2 deg. Spin rate seems to have been stabilized at 1.4rpm for now.
I did some back of the envelop calculations and, assuming a 190 sq meter surface area the best 'thrust' IKAROS can develop from light pressure at Earth orbit is about 1.7/1000 Newtons. This will increase as the spacecraft approaches Venus orbit and if the craft is capable of autonomous operation I don't see any reason that it could not increase it's orbital velocity and depart the solar system eventually.
Currently, based on graphics, it appears that IKAROS is configured to accelerate along its orbit. Other graphics indicate that it will eventually be reconfigured so that it is decelerating along it's orbit and I have been unable to determine whether it will pass Venus on sun-ward side or the deep space side.
Given that they have integrated LCDs, solar cells, dust counters, and temperature sensors into the sail I expect that they will be looking at integrating antennas in the future.
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
*** JAXA MAIL SERVICE ***
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Orbit Control Maneuver Result of the Venus Climate Orbiter 'AKATSUKI'
July 6, 2010 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI," which was launched on May 21,
2010 (Japan Standard Time,) turned on the orbital maneuvering engine
(OME) to jet 500 Newton (N)*1 of thruster on June 28 (JST) at a
distance of 14.6 million km from the earth or 1.06 astronomical units
(AU)*2 from the sun. As a result, we have successfully performed
on-orbit verification of the ceramic thruster, made of silicon nitride
(Si3N4) for the first time in the world. The thruster was newly
developed in Japan.
Image:
Onboard position of the 500 N class ceramic thruster,
whose on-orbit verification was successfully performed.
This thruster is a liquid rocket engine using hydrazine and nitrogen
peroxide, and it is mainly used for retrofiring when the orbiter is
injected into the Venus orbit. The thrust emitted this time is not
only for adjusting the access to Venus, but is also an imperative
operation to evaluate the thrust characteristics of the engine for
Venus orbit insertion. As a result of our detailed orbit tracking by
the JAXA Uchinoura Space Center, JAXA Usuda Deep Space Center, and
NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) stations, we have confirmed that about
12 meters per second of velocity correction was performed by
13-second firing of the OME, and that met the range of the scheduled
orbit control. The next orbit control (fine adjustment) is scheduled
in early November, and AKATSUKI will go to the nearest point of Venus
and be injected into the Venus orbit on December 7 (JST.)
Currently, the explorer and its onboard devices are working properly,
and the Ultra-Stable Oscillator (USO) was also found to be functioning
well to achieve the frequency stability as expected in addition to the
Ultraviolet Imager (UVI,) 1 micrometer Camera (IR1) and Longwave IR
Camera (LIR,) whose initial functional verifications were already
completed on the launch day evening.
(Note)
1 Newton (N) is a unit that shows the amount of net force required to
accelerate a mass of one kilogram at a rate of one meter per second
per second. In other words, it indicates the thrust power of the
explorer. 500 N is equivalent to about 50 kg of gravity loaded onto
an object on the Earth.
2 One astronomical unit (AU) is an average distance between the sun
and the Earth. AKATSUKI is currently flying outside of the earth
orbit as scheduled, thus it is in a different environment from the
environment that is assumed for operations on the Venus orbit,
which is at a distance of 0.7 AU from the sun on average.
This page URL:
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/07/20100706_akatsuki_e.html
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http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html
July 9, 2010 Updated
IKAROS: Acceleration by solar sail confirmed
The small solar power sail demonstrator "IKAROS," which successfully deployed its solar sail, was confirmed to accelerate by solar sail receiving solar pressure.
This proved that the IKAROS has generated the biggest acceleration through photon during interplanetary flight in history.
press release(in japanese)
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/07/20100709_ikaros_j.html
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Some gems about the possible future of IKAROS from The Mainichi Daily News http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20100718p2a00m0na012000c.html
The cellophane-like film of the sail is made of the same materials used for the electronic substrate of mobile phones, and it boasts an expected operational life of over 10 years even as it is exposed to strong radiation in space.
By the time IKAROS has approached Venus in six months, all the necessary experiments will have been completed, and the spacecraft will start orbiting between Earth and Venus without need for refueling.
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Press release(in Japanese)
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/07/20100709_ikaros_j.html
Here's the same release in English (I'm posting it as it contains some quite interesting graphs).
www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/07/20100709_ikaros_e.html
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Meanwhile, if I'm understanding the google translate and the graphs right, it looks like the LCD attitude control is successful: http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/07/20100723_ikaros_j.html
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jaxa.jp%2Fpress%2F2010%2F07%2F20100723_ikaros_j.html&sl=ja&tl=en
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English press release was released.
Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator 'IKAROS' Successful Attitude Control by Liquid Crystal Device
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/07/20100723_ikaros_e.html
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Solar Distance : 1.05AU
Earth Distance : 26105537km, ascension =- 141.2 °, declination =- 26.2 °
Venus Distance : 0.75AU
Attitude : spin rate = 1.5rpm, sun angle 22.4deg
For the last few days IKAROS spun back down and the solar angle increased as JAXA continues to investigate sail trimming. Experiments in ranging are on going and increased emphisis is being given to acceleration. Since the 24th of July all attitude control has been handled by the RCD (LCD panels), a truely stunning breakthrough in propellantless deep space navigation.
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It is so exciting to see this finally happening! I'm so glad everything is going so well :)
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According to this animated image, IKAROS will arrive at Venus on December 18 (Japan time)...11 days after Akatsuki does
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8 / 26 IKAROS
Solar Distance : 1.00AU
Earth Distance : 31401035km, ascension =- 130.8 °, declination =- 28.0 °
Venus Distance : 0.48AU
Attitude : spin rate = 1.3rpm, sun angle = 26.0deg
IKAROS has crossed Earth's orbit and is headed Sunward. The last few weeks have seen experiments with rotation rates going up to 2.0rpm and back and sun angles reaching as high as 32.2 degrees.
From TheFallen's post above it appears that IKAROS will be passing Venus on the "outside" as would be expected since it has been increasing its orbital speed since deployment.
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9 / 6 IKAROS
Solar Distance : 0.97AU
Earth Distance : 32166911km, ascension =- 126.9 °, declination =- 28.5 °
Venus Distance : 0.37AU
Attitude : spin rate = 1.3rpm, sun angle = 29.5deg
"IKAROS health is good."
The last few days have seen JAXA evaluating communications in anticipation of LOS once IKAROS goes into opposition. (At least I think thats what they said) Spin rate and sun angle have remained fairly stable for a few days as well, I think they have found their sweet spot in terms of stability vs thrust. Naturally this will evolve as they approach the Sun.
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In today's operation , IKAROS able to successfully communicate with !
While the folks running IKAROS were acting fairly confident about the four day communications blackout, their relief and joy as IKAROS reestablished com was evident in the 9-18 Blog entry. http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/?blogid=12
9 / 18 IKAROS
Solar Distance : 0.94AU
Earth Distance : 31844918km, ascension =- 124.5 °, declination =- 28.5 °
Venus Distance : 0.34AU
Attitude : spin rate = 1.3rpm, sun angle = 29.0deg
(clarification; the com loss was due to the plane of the craft's sail coming parallell to the Earth/spacecraft line of sight.)
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IKAROS has spin up today. This is a very long time 2rpm.
A high spin rate, increasing the spin stiffness (as a frame) in space
Try to maintain a constant attitude.
Conversely a low spin rate will be strongly influenced by movements of the solar light pressure.
Adjusting the spin rate means that a balance of both to take advantage of this
I can do to change the direction of the desired position.
The IKAROS 10/18
Solar Distance: 0.84AU
Earth Distance: 28891627km, RA =- 132.6 °, declination =- 23.5 °
Venus Distance: 0.11AU
Attitude: spin rate = 2.1rpm, sun angle = 4.3deg
(Earth Distance 0.19AU)
Sun angle has been decreasing for several weeks now I wonder if they are "coming about" and reversing the "thrust" vector? One of the animations I saw seemed to indicate that might happen as they approached Venus.
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IKAROS's one of four solar sail was released in public.
This sail was prepared for spare ORU to replace any defects prior to launch.
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itmedia.co.jp%2Fnews%2Farticles%2F1010%2F20%2Fnews087.html&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8
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The IKAROS 11/05
Sun Distance: 0.77AU
Earth Distance: 33318160km (0.22AU), RA=-146.5deg, Dec=-15.3deg
Venus Distance: 0.06AU (8975880km)
Attitude: Spin Rate=1.7rpm, Sun Angle=16.4deg
Blog entries are becoming sparser and apparently there are fewer communications periods as JAXA increasingly focuses on the Akatsuki Venus mission.
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Akatsuki arrives at Venus in less than a month (Dec. 7). Awesome :)
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Date of AKATSUKI injection to Venus orbit
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/index_e.html
JAXA decided to emit jets from the orbital maneuvering engine (OME) of the AKATSUKI at 8:49:00 a.m. on Dec. 7 (Japan Standard Time, all the following dates and time are in JST) to inject the orbiter into the Venus orbit. Under the current schedule, the OME jet emission will be completed at 9:01:00 a.m. on the same day, and the Venus orbit will be determined around 9:00 p.m. also on the same day after some attitude control maneuvers including the Earth pointing maneuver of the Z axis.
The AKATSUKI will study the Venus atmosphere for about two years after being injected into the Venus orbit.
OME jet emission ? I think OME burn ;)
8:49:00 a.m. on Dec. 7 JST (11:49:00 p.m. on Dec. 6 UTC)
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What I'm wondering is when Akatsuki will start taking images of Venus as the spacecraft nears arrival...and when JAXA will release 'em :)
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AKATSUKI ready for orbit injection
The Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" shifted its attitude at 7:50 a.m. on December 6 to be ready for Venus orbit insertion at 8:49 a.m. on December 7.
On the 7th, we will hold some events to support the AKATSUKI orbit injection. We plan to run the "Venus arrival live broadcast" featuring the AKTSUKI and show the scene of the AKATSUKI Control Room" at a public viewing site. Please come and join the injection moment. (* All time and dates are Japan Standard Time.)
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/topics_e.html
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Akatsuki begins its orbit insertion burn around Venus in less than an hour. Hopefully everything goes smooth! :)
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New Tweet from @Akatsuki_JAXA on Twitter: [More] Sagamihara operation room about 28 minutes at 10 December 07, 2010 (Japan time), and received a wave from the Akatsuki. Currently, we went to check the state of the satellite.
In other words:
"As of 7 Dec 2010 1028 JST received signal from Akatsuki. We are attempting to verify its position (attitude?)." :)
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Contact was lost more than 1 hour :o
It was far longer than predicted (25min).
But, now contact was established :)
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Contact was lost more than 1 hour :o
It was far longer than predicted (25min).
But, now contact was established :)
Yeah!
(fingers crossed)
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NHK report the Akatsuki has antenna problem. Now troubleshoting using backup strings.
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Not hearing good news on this site...
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=de&ie=UTF-8&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http://twitter.com/koumeiShibata&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&usg=ALkJrhhNrw7BvstntBEzJHc7alk-6Pm9gA
--Akatsuki ending press conference. No announcement of the meeting until 22:00 and there are reports point out trouble, and it brought back to confirm. It is going to be a long war.
--Akatsuki is unknown or has failed. Gain antenna was in use until now.
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Japanese space probe Akatsuki set to enter Venus' orbit (http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20101207p2g00m0dm020000c.html)
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Some distant shots of Earth and the Moon that Akatsuki took on October 26...
http://www.stp.isas.jaxa.jp/venus/
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Akatsuki has been entered the "safe hold mode".
Medium-gain antenna wasn't available. Low-gain antenna only.
Due to very limited telemetory information, situation has remained more uncertain.
Yomiuri report.
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yomiuri.co.jp%2Fscience%2Fnews%2F20101207-OYT1T00851.htm&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8
Edit: JAXA press briefing information.
It seems Middium-gain is available 40sec/10min (rotaiting per 10 minutes).
Medium-gain 512bps, Low-gain 8 bps.
Orbit data would be confirmed tomorrow noon.
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This reminds me of the time when Magellan entered orbit around Venus....as I recall from radio news reports at the time JPL lost contact with the probe for a while and the probe was in safe mode.
Hope everything's going to be all right with Akatsuki.
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Akatsuki has been entered the "safe hold mode".
Middium-gain antenna wasn't available. Low-gain antenna only.
Due to very limited telemetory information, situation has remained more uncertain.
Yomiuri report.
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yomiuri.co.jp%2Fscience%2Fnews%2F20101207-OYT1T00851.htm&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8
Edit: JAXA press briefing information.
It seems Middium-gain is available 40sec/10min (rotaiting per 10 minutes).
Middium-gain 512bps, Low-gain 8 bps.
Orbit data would be confirmed tomorrow noon.
FYI: 'Medium'
Low, Medium, High...Gain Antennas.
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It's Nozomi all over again...
http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002809/
Akatsuki failed to enter Venus orbit.
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It's Nozomi all over again...
http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002809/
Akatsuki failed to enter Venus orbit.
"BUMMER" is right (as per the article)
Must be some long faces in Japan (and now one in Canada) :(
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Yikes! And it won't be near Venus for 7 years.
Is the craft on a trajectory where they can at least adjust it to fly by a near earth asteroid or two, or perhaps Earth/Moon or Mercury? Maybe that will salvage something out of this mission.
Very bad news indeed.
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http://admin.brightcove.co.jp/viewer/jp1.24.04.00.2010-11-30210623/BrightcoveBootloader.swf?purl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nikkei.com%2Fvideo%2F%3Fbclid%3D67421386001%26bctid%3D702380967001&%40videoPlayer=702380967001&autoStart=false&bgcolor=%23FFFFFF&flashID=myExperience&height=547&isUI=true&isVid=true&lineupID=67421386001&playerID=57544160001&publisherID=46434333001&videoID=702380967001&width=790 (http://admin.brightcove.co.jp/viewer/jp1.24.04.00.2010-11-30210623/BrightcoveBootloader.swf?purl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nikkei.com%2Fvideo%2F%3Fbclid%3D67421386001%26bctid%3D702380967001&%40videoPlayer=702380967001&autoStart=false&bgcolor=%23FFFFFF&flashID=myExperience&height=547&isUI=true&isVid=true&lineupID=67421386001&playerID=57544160001&publisherID=46434333001&videoID=702380967001&width=790)
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A real shame for the mission. I had a sinking feeling this would be the result knowing the spacecraft entered safe mode at some point and it required the vast majority of the burn to be completed to get captured by Venus.
This month didn't exactly get off with a good start for aerospace.
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Akatsuki probe overshoots Venus, attempt to be remade in 6 years (http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20101208p2a00m0na010000c.html)
Officials said that they believe that when Akatsuki was approaching its orbital entry point and engaged its reverse thrusters, the thrusters cut off before the probe could sufficiently reduce its speed, and the probe is now heading away from the planet.
Another attempt will be made to put Akatsuki into orbit around Venus when the probe comes close to the planet again in six years' time.
Akatsuki was launched in May. After coming within 550 kilometers of Venus on Dec. 7, it initiated its reverse thrusters and started to change course. But soon afterwards, the probe moved into Venus' shadow, and communications were cut off. A connection was later established via a low-gain antenna on the probe that is automatically activated in emergencies, but for some time the probe's status remained largely unknown.
The probe's reverse thrusters needed to be fired for at least 9 minutes and 20 seconds, but appear to have stopped after only two to three minutes.
Akatsuki will again approach Venus in December 2016 and January 2017. Ordinarily it would end up about 3.7 million kilometers away from the planet, but its trajectory can be modified to bring it closer.
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Two minutes and 23 seconds after OME injection, X-axis was suddenly rotating 360 deg.
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fjournal.mycom.co.jp%2Farticles%2F2010%2F12%2F09%2Fplanet-c_detail%2F&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8
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Yomiuri Shimbun:
JAXA scratching head over Akatsuki failure (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/science/T101209005839.htm)
Suspected engine trouble casts shadow (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/science/T101209005121.htm)
Hopes dashed during 20-minute silence (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/science/T101209004800.htm)
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Akatsuki probe began unexpectedly spinning after firing thruster (http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20101209p2a00m0na006000c.html)
(http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/images/20101209p2a00m0na005000p_size5.jpg)
The Akatsuki probe is thought to have spun in the direction indicated by the white arrows.
The cone on the right side is part of the ceramic thruster.
Image courtesy of JAXA, with modifications.
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Two minutes and 23 seconds after OME injection, X-axis was suddenly rotating 360 deg.
Data was corrected by JAXA.
From "Two minutes and 23 seconds" to 152 sec.
From "360 deg" to 42 deg.
Fuel feeding anomaly is discussing now.
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Mainichi Daily News:
Akatsuki's fuel pressure plunged before failure to enter Venus orbit: JAXA (http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20101210p2a00m0na010000c.html)
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AKATSUKI's first shots of Venus taken during health check
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/topics/2010/1210.shtml
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ohh....feels like a rerun of the Hayabusa return trip all over again
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According to the link below, IKAROS made its flyby of Venus from a distance of 80,000 km on December 8...
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/home/IKAROS-blog/i....php?itemid=786
I thought the solar sail wasn't suppose to fly past Venus till December 18. Oh well.
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Nozzle may have doomed Akatsuki, but could also save it. (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T101217004031.htm)
Japanese space probe most likely overshot Venus due to engine trouble. (http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20101218p2g00m0dm014000c.html)
Akatsuki orbit failure laid to broken engine nozzle. (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20101218a5.html)
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Yomiuri Shimbun: Faulty valve caused Akatsuki failure (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/science/T101227002317.htm)
Mainichi Daily News: Failure of Venus probe Akatsuki likely due to faulty valve (http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20101227p2a00m0na016000c.html)
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Do we know how similar was this propulsion system to the IHI propulsions system used on the AEHF-1? Curious...
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Revised time line for second try:
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Venus_probe_may_get_2nd_chance_soon_999.html
"
.......
JAXA had said it would try again in six years, when Akatsuki approaches Venus once again, but now say it may be possible to decelerate Akatsuki slowly to let Venus catch up and try for an orbit in five years.
......
"
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From IKAROS blog.
In six months, the amount of acceleration of the solar light pressure over 100 meters per second.
In other words, over 360km per hour has been achieved by a solar sail acceleration so far.
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.isas.jaxa.jp%2Fhome%2FIKAROS-blog%2F%3Fitemid%3D803&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8
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IKAROS took this self-portrait with Venus in the background! (Darn it, JAXA... Release a larger size of this image) :)
http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002892/
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Here's a larger version of the IKAROS-Venus pic...taken from a JAXA press kit
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2011/01/20110126_sac_ikaros.pdf
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IKAROS took this self-portrait with Venus in the background! (Darn it, JAXA... Release a larger size of this image) :)
I heard this photo data size is 67.8kbyte.
It takes Dec. 8th.
Now (Jan. 23), IKAROS's data rate is only 13 byte/Day (not 13 byte/sec) ;)
Data transfer are very tough work.
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Interesting interview.
IKAROS 's NEC development team is only two person :o
At first, Akatsuki will be launched M-V rocket. But, changed to the H-IIA.
In analyzing what can be found becomes a problem of excessive vibration while accelerating in the second stage. In order to solve the problem, 700kg additional dummy mass will be need. Launch weight of the Akatsuki is desighed to 500kg. launching the 700kg dummy mass to the Venus is futile.
Therefore, IKAROS project is started. Mr. Kawaguchi was proposed this plan in a week.
IIKAROS was only 2.5 years from start to launch. Moreover, a total budget of 15 billion yen, an order of magnitude smaller compared to conventional spacecraft.
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nec.co.jp%2Fad%2Fcosmos%2Fikaros%2F&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8
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One year after launch, a very nice write up on IKAROS results http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/forefront/2011/tsuda/index.shtml
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Akatsuki's trouble report was released in Japanese.
Clogged fuel check valve (CV-F) was cause the trouble.
It assumed biproduct was generated from MON3 and N2H4 vapor, these are clogged the CV-F.
OME nozzle could be brokend (drop off the nozzle), but 60% thrust may be available.
OME test burn will be planed this September.
New Venus orbit injection plan is Nov. 2015.
If we can't use the OME, back up plan is considerd. We can use the RCS burn. In this case, to reduce the weight oxidizer will be dumped.
For reference, machine translation.
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fjournal.mycom.co.jp%2Farticles%2F2011%2F07%2F04%2Fplanet-c_ome%2F&sl=ja&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8
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Akatsuki's OME test burn will be planed September 7 and 14.
First test burn is 2 seconds. Second burn is 20 seconds and also using the RCS thrusters for the attitude stability test.
If these test will good result, trajectry change OME burn (400 sec) will be held in November.
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Bid To Salvage Venus Mission [Mainichi Daily News]
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will fire the engine of its Akatsuki probe for two seconds Sept. 7 and 20 seconds Sept. 14 as it works to get the craft into orbit around Venus after failing to do so in December, the Mainichi Daily News reported Sept. 6.
JAXA scientists are studying methods of sending fuel to Akatsuki’s engine without using a defective fuel valve that caused it to overheat, the agency said. They may attempt to adjust the probe’s posture in November as part of an effort to get it into venusian orbit in 2015.
Read it at: Mainichi Daily News (http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110906p2g00m0dm013000c.html)
http://www.spacenews.com/commentaries/110906-fromwires-jaxa-ignite-akatsuki-engine.html
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Test burn rusult was no joy :(
Only 13% thrust was gained.
JAXA replaned next OME burn will be 5 seconds short test burn.
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Test burn rusult was no joy :(
Only 13% thrust was gained.
JAXA replaned next OME burn will be 5 seconds short test burn.
Thanks for the note Fuji.
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September 9, 2011 Updated
AKATSUKI: Second orbit maneuver engine test plan changed
JAXA performed the first test jet thrust(*1) from the orbit maneuver engine (OME) aboard the Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” (PLANET-C) on Sept. 7 as part of studying an orbit change plan for the AKATSUKI to meet with Venus. Through this test, we found that acceleration by the jet thrust was less than the expected value; therefore, we decided to shorten the time duration of the second test(*2) slated for Sept. 14 to about 5 seconds because the originally expected acceleration value was the baseline for the second test. We will jet the thrust for about five seconds again to reconfirm the thrusting condition of the OME.
The satellite is in good condition after the first test jet thrust.
*1: Test thrust aimed at quantitatively understanding postural disturbance (including horizontal thrust.) The thrust duration was two seconds as planned.
*2: The second test originally aimed to verify the attitude control logic. The planned thrust duration was 20 seconds.
http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/planet_c/index_e.html
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September 14, 2011 Updated
AKATSUKI: Second orbit maneuver engine test
JAXA performed the second jet thrust(*1) test from the orbit maneuver engine (OME) aboard the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C) at the scheduled time of 11:50 a.m. on Sept. 14 (Japan Standard Time) as part of studying an orbit change plan for the AKATSUKI to meet with Venus. We have confirmed the jet thrust from the OME.
We will analyze acquired telemetry data, and study the orbit change plan of the AKATSUKI.
*1: The second test aimed at reconfirming the status of the jet thrust from the OME. The planned test duration was about five seconds.
http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/planet_c/index_e.html
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Again, second test burn result is no joy. Thrust level was small.
May be engine throat was heavy dameged.
Next option will be using the RCS. In this case, to reduce the spacecraft weight oxidizer will be dumped. Planned Venus orbit will be need to change. Some of the science objective will not achieved.
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Again, second test burn result is no joy. Thrust level was small.
May be engine throat was heavy dameged.
Next option will be using the RCS. In this case, to reduce the spacecraft weight oxidizer will be dumped. Planned Venus orbit will be need to change. Some of the science objective will not achieved.
That's too bad. Thanks Fuji.
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September 15, 2011 Updated
AKATSUKI: Second orbit maneuver engine test result
JAXA conducted the second jet thrust test(*1) from the orbit maneuver engine (OME) aboard the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C) on Sept. 14 (Japan Standard Time.) Through analysis of acquired test data, we found that acceleration by the jet thrust was less than the expected value similarly to the first test result.
Based on those test results, we would like to study the measures to be taken.
The satellite is in condition after the second test.
*1: The second test aimed at reconfirming the status of the jet thrust from the OME. The test duration was about five seconds as planned.
http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/planet_c/index_e.html
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September 30, 2011 Updated
AKATSUKI scheduled to perform orbit maneuver in Nov. to meet with Venus
The Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” (PLANET-C) conducted a trial jet thrust of its onboard orbit maneuver engine (OME) twice on September 7 and 14, but acceleration by the thrust was only about one ninth of expectations, and the generated thrust was also only about 40 Newton. With these results, we found that we cannot gain enough specific impulse for orbit maneuvering by the OME. Also, we suspect that the OME may have gradually been damaged; therefore, we decided not to use the OME. We will carry out the orbit maneuver using the reactoion control system (RCS) thruster to meet Venus in 2015. We plan to conduct a peri-Venus orbit maneuver in early November.
http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/planet_c/index_e.html
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To reduce the spacecraft weight oxidizer (approximately 64kg) will be dumped in october.
RCS thruster are 23 Newton X 4.
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Emily Lakdawalla, Planetary Society blogger reporting via twitter from the 2011 joint meeting of the Division of Planetary Sciences / European Planetary Science Congress, indicates Takehiko Satoh (JAXA) says latest tests indicate the Akatsuki main engine combustion chamber "no longer exists." That sounds somewhat more extreme than it having "gradually been damaged"!
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http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/ikaros/index_e.html
October 18, 2011 Updated
Result of IKAROS 'reverse spin operation'
On Oct. 18, 2011 (Japan Standard Time), JAXA performed a "reverse spin operation" of the IKAROS. As a result of the jet thrust to shift IKAROS's spin direction to the reverse way for about 20 minutes from 7:20 a.m. on the 18th, the membrane successfully spun in the reverse course without being entangled. The IKAROS is in good shape after reversing its spin, and its spin rate at the time of completing this operation was -0.24rpm.
We are currently evaluating if we will continue the mission. For assessing it more in detail, the following information must be acquired.
1) Attitude related date from the data recorder that accumulated information during the reverse spin.
2) Data necessary for predicting future attitude change.
We will announce the detailed evaluation results as soon as we complete data acquisition and analysis.
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Akatsuki was complete the oxidizer dump operations in Oct. 6, 12, 13th (each 6 min. 9min. 9min).
Three RCS burns are planned in Nov. 1, 10, 21th.
First two burn duration is 600 sec, delta-V is 90 m/s.
Third burn duration will be adjusted based on necessary delta-V.
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November 1, 2011 Updated
AKATSUKI orbit control at perihelion
For the rendezvous with Venus, JAXA performed the first orbit control of the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" using the attitude control thruster (or the reactor control system, RCS) at perihelion. The operation lasted about 10 minutes from 1:22 p.m. on November 1 (Japan Standard Time.)
We will analyze telemetry data acquired throughout the operation this time, then determine the next orbit for the second orbit control scheduled for Nov. 10.
http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/planet_c/index_e.html
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AKATSUKI's second RCS burn was finished as planned in Nov. 10. Burn duration was 544 seconds.
First RCS burn duration was 587.5 seconds.
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/j/topics/topics/2011/1110.shtml (Japanese)
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AKATSUKI's third RCS maneuver was finished. Burn duration was 342 seconds.
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/j/topics/topics/2011/1121.shtml (Japanese)
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In Jan 6, IKAROS was enter the hibernation mode.
Due to power generation is limited near aphelion, system was shutdowned.
will be expected retun to the normal mode in early summer.
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_channel/bn018.html (Japanese)
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January 6, 2012 Updated
IKAROS: Details of reverse spin operation result and hibernation mode
The IKAROS project team carried out the reverse spin operation of the IKAROS on Oct. 18, 2011, and acquired detailed achievements about the operation.
We also observed that the IKAROS went into hibernation mode (meaning that onboard devices are currently shut down due to low power generation) sometime before Jan. 6, 2012, as its operational conditions brought the IKAROS away from the sun and also the angle with the sun has been unfavorable so that it cannot generate enough electricity.
The distance and angle against the sun are expected to be improved from spring 2012, thus power will be restored (from the mode coming out of hibernation.) We are preparing for trial signal receiving from the IKAROS by waiting and looking for appropriate timing around that time frame.
http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/ikaros/index_e.html
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NASA | Space Geodesy Profile: Chopo Ma
Published on Jul 12, 2012 by NASAexplorer
Space geodesist Chopo Ma explains the science of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI): using radio emissions from distant galaxies to create a precise reference frame for the Earth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWPetzfPUtA
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After 8months hibernation (lost communication), JAXA's "Ikaros" spacecraft has founded last weekend.
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/ikaros_channel/
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are you sure about this? I have only read the google translation of the blog, and it is not clear
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http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/ikaros/index_e.html
September 11, 2012 Updated
IKAROS to wake up from hibernation
The IKAROS was confirmed to have shifted itself into hibernation mode (or shutting down its onboard equipment due to low power generation) sometime before Jan. 6, 2012.
After moving into hibernation mode, the IKAROS team has been searching for the IKAROS twice a month. On Sept. 6 (Thu.), 2012, a radio wave that appeared to be emitted from the IKAROS was detected.
On the 8th (Sat.) it was confirmed to be from the IKAROS, and we made sure that the IKAROS came out from hibernation mode (or recovered.) We are now checking the satellite's status.
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See also Emily Lakdawalla's blog:
http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2012/09102155-ikaros-alive.html
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http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/e/hottopics/20130328.html
Disorganization of project teams, Space missions "Hayabusa" and "Ikaros"
Space missions "Hayabusa" and "Ikaros" were reviewed by Lunar & Planetary Exploration Group (JSPEC) and concluded the accomplishment of original purposes and project procedures and then disorganization of both project teams, which appreciate world-wide collaboration and support. The space achievements and heritages by both missions will contribute to the following space enterprises. The asteroid material with its curation is transferred to ISAS and devoted to research on space science.
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what does it mean for IKAROS? team disbanded, no more attempts at contact?
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That is what I get out of the JAXA translation.
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what does it mean for IKAROS? team disbanded, no more attempts at contact?
This anounce is based on the project perspective.
Not finished IKAROS operations.
IKAROS has run out of propellant. So, can't attitude control.Therefore, Next contact oppotunity is NET early summer.
IKAROS Ops. team is still wishing to get the membranae degradation data of the IKAROS for the future Solar Power Sail development.
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Fuji, what is the status of Akatsuki? Still on-track for the orbit-insertion attempt in a couple years?
Thanks!
Additionally, have any more IKAROS contact attempts been made yet? It's almost early summer...
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Fuji, what is the status of Akatsuki? Still on-track for the orbit-insertion attempt in a couple years?
Thanks!
Additionally, have any more IKAROS contact attempts been made yet? It's almost early summer...
Still no news.
Akatsuki is on-track for the orbit-insertion attempt in 2015.
Same as IKAROS, Communication cantact attempt is limited due to human resources. We need waiting more.
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Akatsuki mission update (Nov 2012)
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/meetings/archive/vexag_10th/Nov2012/presentations/12_Akatsuki_Imamura.pdf
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Additionally, have any more IKAROS contact attempts been made yet? It's almost early summer...
IKAROS contact was successfully accomplished on Jun 20th.
She is back again :D
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Again communication with IKAROS has established May 22 th.
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/j/topics/topics/2014/0526.shtml (Japanese report)
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http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/ikaros/topics.html
Jun. 4, 2014 Updated
IKAROS wakes up from hibernation mode for third time
The IKAROS seemed to wake up from its hibernation mode in mid April, and JAXA searched for it based on its attitude and orbit prediction to receive its radio waves. On May 22 (Thu.), we successfully found the IKAROS, which is flying at a distance of about 230 million kilometers from the Earth. We will continue to receive data from the IKAROS until mid June to confirm its condition and analyze the information.
The IKAROS, launched in May 2010, completed its mission, and is now revolving around the sun about every 10 months. Power generation is insufficient for seven months out of 10 so the IKAROS goes into hibernation mode for this period by shutting down instruments. For the remaining three months, the IKAROS is awake with enough power so that we can receivedata from it.
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Akatsuki mission update (Nov 2012)
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/meetings/archive/vexag_10th/Nov2012/presentations/12_Akatsuki_Imamura.pdf
Is this still the plan right now? If so Venus orbit insertion is roughly a year away..... (Nov. 22, 2015 according to this paper)
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as far as I know, it's still the plan
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Akatsuki mission update (Nov 2012)
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/meetings/archive/vexag_10th/Nov2012/presentations/12_Akatsuki_Imamura.pdf
Is this still the plan right now? If so Venus orbit insertion is roughly a year away..... (Nov. 22, 2015 according to this paper)
Yes, Nov. 2015 is the official plan.
Four RCS thruster wiil be burned 20 minutes continuously.
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this paper was one of the most recent updates on Akatsuki I have seen
http://www.issfd.org/ISSFD_2012/ISSFD23_FDOP1_5.pdf
it dates from 2 years ago. but tweets on Akatsuki_JAXA show it to be still healthy
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an update (in Japanese only at the time) on Akatsuki's observations during solar conjunction
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2014/12/20141218_akatsuki_j.html
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an update (in Japanese only at the time) on Akatsuki's observations during solar conjunction
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2014/12/20141218_akatsuki_j.html
http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2014/12/20141218_akatsuki.html
How is Solar Wind Caused?
Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" Elucidated Solar Wind Acceleration
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Yes, Nov. 2015 is the official plan.
Four RCS thruster wiil be burned 20 minutes continuously.
Plan is changing now.
Nov. 22, 2015 plan is cancelled. It turned out this orbit is decayed too early.
New plan is waiting for manager's approval.
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New Plan is determined early December, 2015.
Height of apogee is changed from planned 80,000km to 300,000 or 400,000km.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/science/20150105-OYT1T50070.html (Japanese)
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New Plan is determined early December, 2015.
Height of apogee is changed from planned 80,000km to 300,000 or 400,000km.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/science/20150105-OYT1T50070.html (Japanese)
The next VOI attempt (and the last chance IIRC) will be on December 7: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20150127/k10015007881000.html (http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20150127/k10015007881000.html)
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Now has been current press conference about the Akatsuki is opened. Press release also came out. (Japanese)
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/j/topics/topics/2015/0206_akatsuki.shtml
http://blog.nvs-live.com/?eid=270
https://twitter.com/sorae_jp/
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Now has been current press conference about the Akatsuki is opened. Press release also came out. (Japanese)
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/j/topics/topics/2015/0206_akatsuki.shtml
http://blog.nvs-live.com/?eid=270
https://twitter.com/sorae_jp/
What he is trying to say is that JAXA has just did a press conference about VOI and initial science operations on PLANET-C. And luckily they have made a press release in English (http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2015/02/20150206_akatsuki.html): ;)
Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI”
Re-injection to Venus Orbit and Observation Plan
February 6, 2015 (JST)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has decided the schedule for the Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” to be injected into the Venus orbit in the winter of 2015, as well as its observation plan.
After failing to be inserted into the Venus orbit in December 2010, JAXA has been carefully studying another attempt opportunity for the injection when the orbiter meets Venus in the winter of 2015.
After being injected into the orbit, the AKATSUKI will observe the atmosphere of Venus, which is often referred to as a twin sister of the Earth, through remote sensing. Its observations are expected to develop “Planetary Meteorology” further by elucidating the atmospheric circulation mechanism and studying the comparison with the Earth.
1. Injection schedule to Venus orbit
Planned date: Dec. 7 (Mon.), 2015 (Japan Standard Time)
2. Observation plan
The observation plan of the AKATSUKI is to measures the following with a multiple number of wave lengths from an elliptical orbit around Venus whose period is eight to nine days.
When flying further away from Venus, or about 10 times the radius of Venus from the planet, the AKATSUKI will continuously observe Venus as a whole to understand its clouds, deep atmosphere, and surface conditions.
When flying closer to Venus, or less than 10 times the radius of Venus, the orbiter will conduct close-up observations to clarify cloud convection, the distribution of minute undulatory motions and their changes.
When the AKATSUKI comes closest to Venus, it will observe the layer structure of clouds and the atmosphere from a lateral direction.
When the orbiter is in the shade of the sun, it will monitor lightning and airglow (night glow.)
The AKATSUKI will also observe to capture the atmospheric layer structure and its changes by emitting radio waves that penetrates the atmosphere of Venus and receiving them on the ground.
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Press briefing material is here (Japanese).
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/j/topics/topics/2015/image/0206_akatsuki/akatsuki.pdf
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If I understand the schedule on page 17 right:
- red column is orbit injection in December 2015
- blue column is commissioning phase in orbit? followed by orbit correction in Spring 2016
- the numbers given in Green are the apoapsis? (500,000 km initial, 320,000 km after correction, 310,000 km after some degradation?)
- operations in Venus orbit until spring 2018
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http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/ikaros/topics.html#topics4577
Apr. 30, 2015 Updated
IKAROS wakes up from hibernation mode for the 4th time
The IKAROS seemed to wake up from its hibernation mode in mid March 2015, and JAXA searched for it based on its attitude and orbit prediction to receive its radio waves. On April 23 (Thu.), we successfully found the IKAROS, which is flying at a distance of about 120 million kilometers from the Earth.
We will continue to receive data from the IKAROS until May to confirm its condition and analyze the information.
The IKAROS, launched in May 2010, completed its mission, and is now revolving around the sun about every 10 months. Power generation is insufficient for seven months out of 10 so the IKAROS goes into hibernation mode for this period by shutting down instruments. For the remaining three months, the IKAROS is awake with enough power so that we can receivedata from it.
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Akatsuki to perform a three-part course correction from July 17
http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/planet_c/topics.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#topics5055
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course correction was apparently successful
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/j/topics/topics/2015/0805.shtml
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July 2015 Venus Climate Orbiter "Akatsuki" course correction operation
Published on Aug 4, 2015
Orbit correction operation of the Venus Climate Orbiter "Akatsuki" was carried out in July 31, 2015.
The course correction was able to perform as planned.
It will be re-introduced into the Venus in December 7, 2015.
https://youtu.be/HKMtu8QG2Ss
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Tiny thrusters to do heavy lifting as Japanese probe approaches Venus
While acknowledging the Dec. 7 maneuver is risky, Imamura said “we do not think of this operation as very dangerous.”
The smaller thrusters aboard Akatsuki generate just 5 pounds of thrust, a fraction of the power provided by the probe’s main engine. Even with four of the rocket jets operating — there are two sets of four pointing forward and aft from Akatwuki’s main body — the secondary thrusters do not have the energy to put the spacecraft into its originally planned orbit.
Instead, Akatsuki will go into a higher orbit than intended, and the change has some impact to the craft’s science mission, Imamura said.
Rather than taking about 30 hours to complete a lap around Venus — as was planned after the botched 2010 arrival — Akatsuki will complete one orbit every 15 days. Another maneuver in March will nudge Akatsuki closer to Venus, placing the probe in a nine-day orbit.
Imamura said three of Akatsuki’s five cameras were recently switched on for the first time in more than four years, and they appeared to be in good health. The other two cameras will be activated once the probe is in orbit at Venus.
Engineers plan to instruct Akatsuki to turn its cameras toward Venus immediately after the insertion burn in a bid to collect “contingency” imagery of the planet in case the maneuver fails.
http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/11/18/tiny-thrusters-to-do-heavy-lifting-as-japanese-probe-approaches-venus/
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Tiny thrusters to do heavy lifting as Japanese probe approaches Venus
<snip>
JAXA don't have any other options. Either roasting the thrusters or abort the mission.
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Akatsuki VOI Realtime Simulation.
http://www.lizard-tail.com/isana/orbview/misc/akatsuki_orbit_insertion.html
Akatsuki wiill be VOI burn tomorrow. 1145 sec burn will be the longest for Akatsuki's RCS.
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a long presentation for the press conference
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/j/topics/topics/2015/image/1111/20151109_akatsuki.pdf
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VOI burn will be start at December 6, 23:51 (UTC).
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VOI burn will be start at December 6, 23:51 (UTC).
Here's the timeline in English: http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2015/12041611-timeline-for-akatsuki.html (http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2015/12041611-timeline-for-akatsuki.html)
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10 minutes to the critical 20 minutes long VOI burn; spacecraft conditions are nominal as it slipped into Venus' shadow some minutes ago.
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10 minutes to the critical 20 minutes long VOI burn; spacecraft conditions are nominal as it slipped into Venus' shadow some minutes ago.
Live webcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6-BUPTZVKA&src_vid=7E6wp-tpgQE&feature=iv&annotation_id=565e1fa3-0000-2464-867e-001a114aa540
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VOI Burn 1 has started
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im touching wood that the burn goes well
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Watch those four thrusters burn...
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VOI-R1 (Retro-1) Burn has reached scheduled completion.
SC now being auto commanded to rotate 180 degrees to present the other side of thrusters for backup VOI-R1c (Retro 1 Contingency) burn.
Standing by for AOS between Earth and SC for SC and VOI-R1 burn status.
If found required VOI-R1c burn will be commanded by the ground.
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Attitude change for VOI-R1c complete.
Now awaiting AOS.
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First burn complete. Screenshot of Akatsuki rotating to allow a second burn with rear thrusters if necessary.
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Approaching VOI-C3
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in VOI-C3
Handshakes underway
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everyone is now showing happy spirits
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AOS was successful
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It appears that Akatsuki's orbit insertion burn was a success! WELCOME TO VENUS!
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Incredibly long journey, congrats on the arrival !
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How will this lengthy time to get into orbit have impacted useful in orbit mission time?
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Result of Attitude Control Engine Thrust Operation for Venus Orbit Insertion (VOI-R1)
December 7, 2015 (JST)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) performed the attitude control engine thrust operation of the Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” for its Venus orbit insertion from 8:51 a.m. on December 7 (Japan Standard Time).
As a result of analyzing data transmitted from the orbiter, we confirmed that the thrust emission of the attitude control engine was conducted for about 20 minutes as scheduled.
The orbiter is now in good health. We are currently measuring and calculating its orbit after the operation. It will take a few days to estimate the orbit, thus we will announce the operation result once it is determined.
http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2015/12/20151207_akatsuki.html
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VOI burn Start : December 6, 23:51:29 (UTC)
VOI burn End : December 7, 00:11:57 (UTC)
Burn duration was 1228 sec.
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How will this lengthy time to get into orbit have impacted useful in orbit mission time?
Observation will be start next April. Two years observation mission will be planned.
Jan. to March will be test observation phase.
On December 1, test observation was already start. 1,100,000 km from the Venus.
http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/planet_c/topics_j.html#topics6430
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How will this lengthy time to get into orbit have impacted useful in orbit mission time?
Observation will be start next April. Two years observation mission will be planned.
Jan. to March will be test observation phase.
On December 1, test observation was already start. 1,100,000 km from the Venus.
http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/planet_c/topics_j.html#topics6430
Thanks. How much is that mission lifetime reduced compared to if it had got into orbit in 2010?
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http://jda.jaxa.jp/category_p.php?lang=e&page=&category1=256&category2=306&category3=308&page_pics=50
Venus image shot by AKATSUKI after its attitude control engine thrust ejection
IR1 / LIR / UVI
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JAXA has confirmed that this little orbiter is in Venus orbit: (http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2015/12/20151209_akatsuki_j.html)
December 9, 2015 (JST)
Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” Inserted Into Venus' Orbit
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully inserted the Venus Climate Orbiter “AKATSUKI” into the orbit circling around Venus.
As a result of measuring and calculating the AKATSUKI’s orbit after its thrust ejection, the orbiter is now flying on the elliptical orbit at the apoapsis altitude of about 400 km and periapsis altitude of about 440,000 km from Venus. The orbit period
is 13 days and 14 hours. We also found that the orbiter is flying in the same direction as that of Venus’s rotation.
The AKATSUKI is in good health.
We will deploy the three scientific mission instruments namely the 2μm camera (IR2), the Lightning and Airglow Camera (LAC) and the Ultra-Stable oscillator (USO) and check their functions. JAXA will then perform initial observations with the above three instruments along with the three other instruments whose function has already been confirmed, the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI), the Longwave IR camera (LIR), and the 1μm camera (IR1) for about three months. At the same time, JAXA will also gradually adjust the orbit for shifting its elliptical orbit to the period of about nine days. The regular operation is scheduled to start in April, 2016.
Pericytherion - ~400 km
Apocytherion - ~440000 km
Inclination - ~3 deg. (equatorial)
Orbit Period - 13 days 14 hours (Earth time)
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https://twitter.com/kitamitsunari/status/674583807664623617
@Akatsuki_JAXA , the 1st Venus Climate Orbiter, is now on the orbit! Dr.Nakamura shows letter"V", ..
https://twitter.com/kitamitsunari/status/674584603886129152
Dr, Imamura for "C" and Ms. Hirose, a.k.a. "orbital mam", signs letter "O" !
Conglatulations to @Akatsuki_JAXA
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Thanks. How much is that mission lifetime reduced compared to if it had got into orbit in 2010?
Mission lifetime is not changed in 2010.
But, design life is 4.5 years, already run over :o
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Delta-v was greater than anticipated, and it is hypothesized that it could be due to a smaller closest approach distance. They are assessing how, if at all, they will need to tune the orbit to make sure the aged batteries won't suffer too much in prolonged eclipse conditions.
Fuel consumption was as expected. I suppose the larger delta-v is actually a good thing - even if they need to change the pericynthion, they can probably trade that for a reduced apocynthion with less fuel expenditure.
http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2015/1208-live-from-sagamihara.html
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"Dawn is in orbit!"
"Can't wait to see the pictures from Ceres!"
"What? It's in orbit around Venus."
"Huh? How the heck did it get over there? Did Venus get demoted to a dwarf planet, too?"
(Name humor...Congrats JAXA! Winner of the "Never Let the Japanese Sun set" award. Rising, always rising.)
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"Dawn is in orbit!"
"Can't wait to see the pictures from Ceres!"
"What? It's in orbit around Venus."
"Huh? How the heck did it get over there? Did Venus get demoted to a dwarf planet, too?"
(Name humor...Congrats JAXA! Winner of the "Never Let the Japanese Sun set" award. Rising, always rising.)
i hope your kidding because these are to different SC.
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"Dawn is in orbit!"
"Can't wait to see the pictures from Ceres!"
"What? It's in orbit around Venus."
"Huh? How the heck did it get over there? Did Venus get demoted to a dwarf planet, too?"
(Name humor...Congrats JAXA! Winner of the "Never Let the Japanese Sun set" award. Rising, always rising.)
i hope your kidding because these are to different SC.
"Akatsuki" means "Dawn" in Japanese. :) There are two Dawn spacecraft in operations now.
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Not to forget Zarya (which can be translated as Dawn), now part of ISS but briefly an independent spacecraft and still functioning.
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And there's also Intelsat 28 "New Dawn" in GEO since 2011.
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Another images released.
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/j/topics/topics/2015/1221.shtml
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akatsuki lost many functions.
http://asia.nikkei.com/Tech-Science/Science/Venus-finally-in-sight-for-JAXA-s-once-wayward-Akatsuki-probe
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akatsuki lost many functions.
http://asia.nikkei.com/Tech-Science/Science/Venus-finally-in-sight-for-JAXA-s-once-wayward-Akatsuki-probe
That might not be an entirely fair description of the situation. The article itself is a summary of what was previously known since the second VOI plan was announced a year ago.
The spacecraft itself has lost only one function so far (the OME). The remainder of the loss is because of the much higher final orbit resulting from the OME failure and revised VOI plan, and the statement that "of its seven planned missions, Akatsuki will be able to complete only one," makes the situation seem more dire than it should. The higher orbit will reduce the resolution of the imaging experiments, but they will still return much of the originally planned data.
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http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/planet_c/topics.html#topics7299
Apr. 1, 2016 Updated
AKATSUKI regular observation to begin in mid April
AKATSUKI has been performing test observation by turning on its onboard observation instruments one by one. The instruments are starting up normally, and we have already conducted successful observation that is equivalent to be a “minimum success”(*), thus we will move to the regular operation in mid April.
* Minimum success: The minimum goal for achieving a mission. For AKATSUKI, the minimum success is to capture Venus’s all-globe cloud structure by continuously acquiring image data (for every few hours) using some of its onboard cameras from Venus orbit.
Image: Test observation result by the Longwave IR camera (LIR) The image shows a bow-shape clouds running from the Southern hemisphere to the Northern one of Venus. This is the first time to learn such a phenomenon.
Detailed explanation (PDF) (Japanese language only)
http://fanfun.jaxa.jp/jaxatv/files/20160331_akatsuki.pdf
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A new orbit for akatsuki
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20160404_28/
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http://www.nature.com/news/rescued-japanese-spacecraft-delivers-first-results-from-venus-1.19723
Rescued Japanese spacecraft delivers first results from Venus
Streaked acidic clouds and a bow shape in the atmosphere are among Akatsuki’s findings.
Elizabeth Gibney
12 April 2016
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Japanese orbiter officially begins science mission at Venus
Five months since a belated arrival at Venus, Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft has officially started a modified scientific survey of the sweltering, shrouded planet’s atmosphere and climate.
The probe’s science cameras are collecting regular images of Venus’s exotic clouds, and Japanese engineers are optimistic Akatsuki can remain operational for at least two years, and perhaps through 2020.
http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/05/17/japanese-orbiter-officially-begins-science-mission-at-venus/
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http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/planet_c/topics.html
May 23, 2016 Updated
A movie of the Venus' night-side produced by IR2
This movie is produced from the IR2 2.26-μm images, acquired on 29 March 2016 at a distance of 0.36 million km. Original 4 images were acquired with 4-hour intervals from 16:03 JST (07:03 UT).
In 4 hours, the super-rotating clouds move by ~10 degrees. Such images are numerically derotated to produce intermediate images so that the resultant motion becomes smoother. Deformation, appearance and disapperance of clouds are obvious in this movie. As the mission enters the "nominal" observing phase, we plan to shorten the intervals to 2 hours or even shorter so the high-definition movies will definitely help understanding of the Venus atmosphere.
(http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/j/enterp/missions/akatsuki/compile/image/IR2_X_all.gif)
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http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/topics/2016/0729.shtml
Happy Birthday, Akatsuki!
On July 19, Akatsuki celebrated 1st Venus's year anniversary (a year on Venus is 243 Earth days). Akatsuki keeps working well and continues to gather lots of data. The four cameras aboard the Venus Climate Orbiter "Akatsuki" keeps sending down images.
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An Enormous Atmospheric Anomaly Has Been Spotted On Venus
Using the Akatsuki spacecraft, Japanese scientists have detected a large, bow-shaped anomaly in the upper atmosphere of Venus. Strangely, the 6,200-mile-long structure is refusing to budge despite the 225 mile-per-hour winds that surround it.
Researchers from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science believe the phenomenon is the largest stationary “gravity wave” ever recorded in the solar system. Emanating from the mountains below, the unusual weather phenomenon is strong enough to withstand ferocious background winds, causing an enormous bow-like structure to hang in the upper atmosphere like a gigantic scar.
http://gizmodo.com/an-enormous-atmospheric-anomaly-has-been-spotted-on-ven-1791172483
And here's the paper the article is based on.
http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo2873.html
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP1q_Kl-y74
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A new press release (in Japanese only, for the time being): http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/topics/001069.html
And the related new Nature Geoscience paper (beyond the paywall): Equatorial jet in the lower to middle cloud layer of Venus revealed by Akatsuki
http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo3016.html
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Awesome new Akatsuki photos of Venus (processed by a fellow amateur space enthusiast) posted on The Planetary Society's blog:
http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2018/0116-a-new-look-at-venus-with-akatsuki.html
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https://twitter.com/coreyspowell/status/1067559635543121925
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http://akatsuki.isas.jaxa.jp/en/topics/news/001235.html
Reaches 100th orbit after VOI-R1
Nov 30, 2018
The number of orbits of the Akatsuki spacecraft reached 100 on 2018-11-26T21:20 (UTC) after VOI-R1 on 2015-12-07. Akatsuki has been in Venusian orbit for 4.8 Venusian years.
Number of orbits is counted as follows: starting from 1 with the closest approach in VOI-R1 on 2015-12-07, and every closest approach to Venus, it is increased by 1. This is called orbit number.
The figure is orbits of Akatsuki spacecraft from 2015-12-04 to 2018-11-27 in "Venus Mean Equator of Date J2000 frame (VME2000)" frame. (Units of axes are km)
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Listen to the radio wave passing through Venus' atmosphere
http://akatsuki.isas.jaxa.jp/en/topics/news/001236.html
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Astronomers Just Discovered Strange Patterns in The Clouds of Venus (https://www.sciencealert.com/astronomers-have-discovered-strange-giant-patterns-in-the-clouds-of-venus)
Based on advanced computer modelling, the team thinks moving air caused by polar jet streams, similar to those on Earth, could be responsible for these irregularities – which can stretch some 10,000 kilometres (more than 6,200 miles) across.
The patterns are slowly coming into view thanks to the infrared scanning technology on board the Akatsuki space probe: it's able to peer beneath the thick clouds of sulfuric acid, 45-70 kilometres (28-43 miles) high, which usually keep the surface and lower cloud cover of Venus out of view of our telescopes.
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https://twitter.com/_RomanTkachenko/status/1113596715616145408
Norht Venusian pole over 50 days.
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This video isn't recent but it's still worth posting:
https://twitter.com/latestinspace/status/1294619620062695425
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Does lightning strike on Venus? Mysterious flash may help solve puzzle.
The flash seen by the spacecraft Akatsuki, which means “Dawn” in Japanese, was revealed by planetary scientist Yukihiro Takahashi of Hokkaido University at this year’s gathering of the American Geophysical Union. Takahashi’s team suspects it was either a powerful lightning strike, roughly 10 times more energetic than lightning on Earth, or a large meteor that exploded in the planet’s atmosphere.
The flash was spotted by the craft’s Lightning and Airglow Camera, an instrument that has been scanning the clouds of Venus for five years—only now picking up its first flash of light. It’s one of the most promising signs of lightning on Venus, but the team is still analyzing the data, and the members have declined to talk about the research until it has been published in a peer-reviewed paper.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/12/does-lightning-strike-on-venus-mysterious-flash-help-solve-puzzle/