Venus falls silent as Japan declares 'Akatsuki' spacecraft dead

Venus falls silent as Japan declares 'Akatsuki' spacecraft dead (Image: JAXA)

Venus has lost its final active orbiter. Japan’s Akatsuki, also known as the Venus Climate Orbiter, was declared dead by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in late October 2025.

The communication was lost in April 2024 after years of weakening systems. Despite months of recovery attempts, JAXA confirmed the mission had ended.

The Journey to the Planet Venus

Akatsuki launched in May 2010 on a mission to study Venus’s atmosphere. A failed engine burn prevented orbit entry on its first attempt. Remarkably, five years later, engineers tried again and succeeded.

Since December 2015, the spacecraft had been circling Venus. The spacecraft used to capture stunning images and collect climate data.

Who was Behind the Mission?

JAXA’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science in Japan headed the project. Over 15 years, scientists from around the world joined in. Akatsuki sent back more than 178 research papers, hugely improving what we know about Venus's climate.

What did the mission show?

The orbiter found some interesting secrets hidden in Venus’s thick and chaotic clouds. It tracked a massive atmospheric wave stretching thousands of kilometres across the planet.

Akatsuki revealed super-rotating winds, volcanic hints and changing cloud patterns. It extended far beyond its original 4.5-year lifespan, lasting nearly a decade.

Looking Ahead to Venus’s Next Chapter

With Akatsuki gone, Venus is without a dedicated orbiter for now. Future missions from NASA, ESA and India are being prepared. Scientists hope new missions like VERITAS and EnVision will continue Akatsuki’s legacy. Until then, Venus remains a silent world, waiting for its next visitor.