Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. A photo of a cloudy Venus. The Japanese space agency said it has lost contact with its intrepid Venus spacecraft Akatsuki.

On May 21, 2010, the Akatsuki orbiter ("Dawn" in Japanese) launched from the Tanegashima Space Center atop a H-IIA Launch Vehicle, establishing orbit around Venus in December 2015. In so doing, ...

An artist's depiction of the Akatsuki spacecraft in orbit around Venus. Akihiro Ikeshita (JAXA) After a failed attempt at entering Venus’ orbit five years ago, Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft might ...

It may be five years behind schedule, but Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft is finally starting its scientific mission around Venus – and it has already returned some rather stunning images in the process.

The Japanese space exploration agency JAXA has lost contact with its Akatsuki space probe, which was launched in 2010 and has been in Venus’ orbit since 2015. “Akatsuki” is the Japanese word for dawn ...

Years after a failed attempt at orbiting Venus, the Akatsuki spacecraft snuggles up next to the planet and snaps a series of photos. Freelance writer Amanda C. Kooser covers gadgets and tech news with ...

After spending the last five years essentially lost in space, the Japanese probe Akatsuki fired up its engines this last weekend in hopes of finally entering the orbit of Venus. Though the craft ...

The nail-biting maneuver that sent Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft into orbit around Venus this week is being celebrated by NASA scientists, eager to learn more about the atmosphere and climate of Earth’s ...

Akatsuki has overcome big challenges in the past. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. The Japanese space agency said it has lost ...