Explore Worlds
Find Life
Defend Earth
Akatsuki Mission Statement
For Immediate Release
December 07, 2010
Contact
Mat Kaplan
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1-626-793-5100
JAXA, Japan’s space agency, has announced that their mission to Venus, Akatsuki, did not succeed in entering orbit as planned on December 6. Bill Nye, Executive Director of the Planetary Society, issued the following statement:
“The Planetary Society regrets that the innovative Akatsuki spacecraft seems to have missed its opportunity to lock into an orbit of Venus. Although Akatsuki has already accomplished some remarkable things on its voyage, this setback reminds us how difficult space exploration can be.”
Akatsuki carries on board names and messages from the public, including the members of the Planetary Society. Those names will continue their journey around the Sun with Akatsuki.
About The Planetary Society
With a global community of more than 2 million space enthusiasts, The Planetary Society is the world’s largest and most influential space advocacy organization. Founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman and today led by CEO Bill Nye, we empower the public to take a meaningful role in advancing space exploration through advocacy, education outreach, scientific innovation, and global collaboration. Together with our members and supporters, we’re on a mission to explore worlds, find life off Earth, and protect our planet from dangerous asteroids. To learn more, visit www.planetary.org.
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