Japan gets probe back on course for Venus after five years

The Japanese space agency Jaxa has got a space probe launched in 2010 back on course after five years. The probe was supposed to arrive at Venus in late 2010, but failed. It should work in a few months now.

After launch, Akatsuki appeared to be on course for Venus, but after that engine problems threw a spanner in the works when reaching Venus. Since then, Akatsuki has been in orbit around the sun, but Jaxa has made several course adjustments to get the probe back toward Venus. The last major adjustment took place last month, according to Jaxa.

Akatsuki must investigate the atmosphere and surface of Venus. It is not the first mission of a space agency to Venus. For example, the European space agency ESA had the Venus Express. Humans have been sending space probes to the planet every now and then for decades.

Render of Akatsuki near Venus. This should be a reality in six months, although it is unknown whether the probe has a selfie stick with it to capture that memorable moment.