A few days ago the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the Akatsuki probe from the Tanegashima spaceport in Kagoshima Prefecture. The Venus Climate Orbitor a very sophisticated probe featuring specialized cameras, sensors specially designed to study Venus’ atmosphere and surface.
Mission Overview
Venus is one of the most attractive targets in the solar system when we seek to understand the formation of the terrestrial environment. Venus is our nearest neighbor, and has a size very similar to the Earth’s; however, previous spacecraft missions discovered an extremely dense (~92 bar) and dry CO2 atmosphere with H2SO4-H2O clouds floating at high altitudes, and exotic volcanic features covering the whole planet.
The Venus Climate Orbiter (VCO) of Japan aims to elucidate the mechanism of the mysterious atmospheric circulation of Venus, with secondary targets being the exploration of the ground surface and the zodiacal light observation during the cruise to Venus. The exploration of the Venusian meteorology is given a high priority not only for understanding the climate of Venus but also for the general understanding of planetary fluid dynamics.
Venus Climate Orbitor Video
I blogged about the JAXA Venus Climate Orbitor Mission late last year and made a geektastic reference to the “Akatsuki” anime fans are more familiar with. I really hope this exploration mission is a success, now lets wait to see how JAXA’s space experiment with fish goes when it that is launched next year.
Akatsuki/Planet-C Official Website
JAXA post Akatsuki launch press release
[japan]
This is very interesting. It takes me back to the days when I had my telescope.
In the past with the space race between Russia and the US to the moon; I wonder if it will be the same with Japan and US to Mars.
Now that I’ve read this, I’m kind of sad my days of hardcore physics study are over. I most likely wont be taking any education that will require me to learn more physics than I already know.
I’ve always been a big fan of astronomy and it’s no surprise Japan is into this kind of stuff. I like that they’re saying they want to run this experiment to get more knowledge of meteorology. Earth can always use more of that kind of stuff. Heck, maybe it’s even going to be useful in analysing global warming.
That fish stuff looks interesting too. Biology’s my favourite of all the sciences. But I do believe there will be more practical uses for the data from this Venus scanning.
I’m glad I stumbled over your blog. Thanks for sharing.
[surfer]