JAXA | AKATSUKI Special Site

July 23, 2010 Updated

IKAROS successfully controlled its attitude using liquid crystal device

The Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS" performed an attitude control experiment of the solar sail using an attitude control device, or the liquid crystal device, on July 13, and JAXA confirmed that the attitude control performance was successfully accomplished as planned.
The liquid crystal device is attached to the solar sail for attitude control to change the reflection characteristics of sunlight by turning on and off the power of the device. With this function, the sail can control its attitude using only sunlight pressure without any additional propellant.

Mission Photo, Movie

Images captured from the webcast and Quick review of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle F17.

Live Broadcast

JAXA broadcasted the launch of "AKATSUKI" and "IKAROS" by the H-IIA F17 from the Tanegashima Space Center through the Internet.

Countdown Report

The live report of the launch on the launch day. (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - H-IIA Launch Service Web Site)

Promotional Movie

The movie explains the AKATSUKI’s Venus exploration outline.

JAXA's Planet Exploration

We would like to introduce JAXA's past exploration missions to the moon and planets in the solar system.

Wallpaper and Paper craft

We provide AKATSUKI 1/30 scale paper craft, AKATSUKI wallpapers and dress-ups for your browser.

The World's First Planetary Meteorological Satellite

Project Scientist, Takesi Imamura, talks about AKATSUKI and Venus.

AKATSUKI Mission Overview

AKATSUKI (PLANET-C) 's main purpose is to elucidate the mysteries of the Venusian atmosphere.

Outline of Venus

Beneath the sulfuric acid clouds covering and flowing over Venus at the speed of 400 km/h, lies land scorched at 460 degrees Celsius.

IKAROS Mission Overview

The IKAROS mission aims at verifying that a spacecraft can fly only by solar powered sail, and that thin film solar cells can generate power.

Overview of Secondary Payloads

Along with the main payload, AKATSUKI, five secondary payloads will be launched by an H-IIA Launch Vehicle.

Overview of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle

The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 is a "H2A202" model with two solid rocket boosters (SRBs).

AKATUKI Project Site

IKAROS Project Site

July 23, 2010 (14:00): Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator 'IKAROS' Successful Attitude Control by Liquid Crystal Device
July 14, 2010 (15:30): Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator 'IKAROS' Successfully Observed Gamma-ray Burst
July 9, 2010 (16:00): Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator 'IKAROS' Confirmation of Photon Acceleration

Live Camera
Tanegashima Space Center

AKATSUKI
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Pamphlet ( 0.8MB)
IKAROS
Photo
Pamphlet ( 1.3MB)
H-IIA
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  Movie
  Pamphlet ( 1MB)

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Akatsuki Special Site