In a bittersweet conclusion, Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has officially terminated its Akatsuki Venus orbiter mission, which spanned an ambitious 15 years marred by technical hurdles.

An Ambitious Launch Goes Awry

Launched in May 2010 aboard an H-IIA rocket, Akatsuki—Japanese for ‘Dawn’—was poised to enter the orbit of Venus by December of the same year. However, a critical failure during its initial engine burn left the orbiter stranded in a solar orbit instead of the desired Venusian path.

A Triumph Against the Odds

Overcoming this setback took an incredible five years of creative maneuvering. In December 2015, JAXA finally succeeded in getting Akatsuki into orbit around Venus, and shortly thereafter it began transmitting invaluable data and stunning images of Earth’s enigmatic neighbor.

Technical Woes Marred Success

Although Akatsuki was designed for a four-and-a-half-year mission, it faced ongoing challenges. In 2016, electrical issues hampered the operation of its cameras, prompting JAXA to shut down two out of five devices to safeguard the orbiter's longevity.

The Final Glitch and Communication Loss

In April 2024, disaster struck again—significant communication issues arose when attempts to stabilize the orbiter's trajectory failed, and JAXA lost all contact. Efforts to restore communication have been futile, leading to the difficult decision to end the mission.

A Lonely Venus

JAXA's announcement confirmed, “Despite extensive recovery operations, we have had no success in reestablishing communication.” Ultimately, the spacecraft exceeded its expected lifespan, prompting its retirement.

Looking Ahead: A New Era of Exploration

With Akatsuki's retirement, humanity currently lacks any active spacecraft observing Venus. However, the future looks promising, as multiple missions are in the pipeline. NASA plans to launch its DAVINCI+ lander in 2030, with an orbiter named VERITAS following no earlier than 2031. The European Space Agency is also gearing up for its ‘Envision’ mission, expected to launch in 2031.

The end of the Akatsuki mission may close a chapter, but the quest for knowledge about Venus and its mysteries is far from over.