JAXA | May 2010

May 26, 2010 Updated

Live broadcast of Astronaut Noguchi's return to Earth from 11:10 a.m.

Astronaut Souichi Noguchi, who has been on an expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) for over five months, will come home on June 2 by the Soyuz (21S) spacecraft.
JAXA will broadcast his return trip live through the Internet as well as at our information center, JAXA i, from 11:10 a.m. on June 2. Please watch his return trip. (Photo by NASA)
* We are continuing to accept support messages to Astronaut Noguchi.
* Please be aware that the date and time of the live report are subject to change due to the preparation status of the mission and other factors.

May 23, 2010 Updated

AKATSUKI/IKAROS flying smoothly!

On May 21, JAXA confirmed that the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI,"
launched by the H-IIA F17, successfully performed a sequence of scheduled operations such as the deployment of the solar array paddles and sun acquisition.
We have also received earth images taken by the AKATSUKI while verifying the condition of onboard devices at about 250,000 km above the Earth at around 8:50 p.m. on May 21.
The Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS," which was also launched by the H-IIA F17 with the AKATSUKI, was also confirmed to have successfully generated power through the solar batteries and stabilized its correct posture. Accordingly, communications were established with the IKAROS.

May 21, 2010 Updated

AKATSUKI successfully launched!!

The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 (H-IIA F17) with the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" onboard was launched at 6:58:22 a.m. on May 21 (Japan Standard Time) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The H-IIA F17 flew smoothly, and, at 27 minutes and 29 seconds after liftoff, the AKATSUKI was separated from the H-IIA.
We will update you with the latest information on the AKATSUKI on the special site.
(Photo: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries)

May 18, 2010 Updated

AKATSUKI/IKAROS Launch rescheduled to 6:58 a.m. on the 21st (Fri)

The launch of the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" and the Small Solar Power Demonstrator "IKAROS" by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 was rescheduled at 6:58:22 a.m. on May 21 (Fri. Japan Standard Time, JST) after carefully studying the weather conditions.

Accordingly, the live launch report will begin at 6:30 a.m. on May 21(Fri., JST.) The report will be broadcast not only through the Internet, but also at JAXA i, Sagamihara Campus and other public viewing locations including some universities. You can also watch it through some CATV and cell phone providers.

May 18, 2010 Updated

AKATSUKI/IKAROS launch postponement

H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.17 with the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" and "IKAROS" onboard was scheduled to be launched on the 18th, but due to clouds including a freezing layer exceeding launch restrictions for weather around the launch site, the launch was postponed.

The new launch day will be announced as soon as it is determined.

May 11, 2010 Updated

Live launch report of AKATSUKI and IKAROS from 6:15 a.m. on the 18th

On May 18, the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" and the Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS" will be launched by the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17. The two payloads are now under final preparations at the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).
We will broadcast the live launch report through the Internet from the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC). The live report will begin at 6:15 a.m. on the 18th (Tue.) We will also broadcast the live launch report at JAXA i, Sagamihara Campus and other public viewing sites including universities. Please enjoy the dynamic image of the launch from the TNSC and support the mission.
We also welcome support messages to the AKATSUKI and IKAROS project teams.
* The live report schedule is subject to change due to the launch preparation status and weather conditions.