Japanese robotic probe Akatsuki of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) has successfully entered the orbit of Venus following a much anticipated maneuver, after five years of being lost in space.

The Akatsuki or "Dawn" spacecraft was launched in May 20, 2010 ans apparently failed to be captured by Venus' orbit on December 7, 2010, due to a thruster valve malfunction. After this unfortunate event, the Akatsuki flew past Venus and has been orbiting the sun ever since, waiting for its second and final chance to try once more.

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On Sunday, December 7, at 6:51 P.M. EST, the spacecraft completed an attitude control thruster burn lasting for 20 minutes that helped the probe to establish its orbit, capturing by Venus. More details about the exact location of the orbit are still being determined by mission control.

According to JAXA, the orbiter seems to be in good health and the team is now measuring and calculating its orbit after this operation. In order to estimate the orbit, it will take a few days before an official announcement will be made about the operation results, once it is determined.

To date, Akatsuki is the only operational spacecraft in Venus, where its mission is to conduct an investigation of the dense, complex atmosphere of the planet and to map its weather patterns via its ultraviolet and infrared instruments including mapping the surface with radio wavelengths amidst its tumultuous atmosphere.

Tagsjaxa, JAXA akatsuki probe, venus, JAXA akatsuki venus probe, venus orbit akatsuki probe, japanese probe venus