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VENUSIAN HEAT
Japan test fires Venus probe engine
by Staff Writers
Tokyo (AFP) Sept 8, 2011


Japan on Thursday said it had successfully test-fired the engine of its "Akatsuki" space probe in preparation for a renewed attempt to get it into orbit around Venus in 2015.

Following December's failed attempt to send the probe to the second planet from the sun, a remote test ignition conducted Wednesday lasted for 2 seconds as planned, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said.

"The failure in December was highly likely due to engine damage," said JAXA spokesman Eijiro Namura.

"We have made the first step forward by igniting the engine for the first time since then," to assess its condition, he said.

The "Akatsuki", meaning "Dawn" is fitted with two paddle-shaped solar panels and blasted off in May last year on a 25.2 billion yen ($300 million) mission to observe the toxic atmosphere and super-hot volcanic surface of Venus.

But in a setback for Japan's space programme, the box-shaped probe failed to enter the planet's gravitational pull and shot past it in December. It is still in space.

Another, longer engine test ignition of the probe -- officially known as the Planet-C Venus Climate Orbiter -- is planned for September 14.

Based on the test results, JAXA plans to fire up the engine in early November in order to adjust the craft's positioning ahead of the next available window for a Venus orbit attempt in 2015 or later, according to the agency.

Scientists believe that investigating the climate of Venus would deepen their understanding of the formation of the Earth's environment and its future.

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Related Links
Venus Express News and Venusian Science






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VENUSIAN HEAT
Venus scientists see research 'bias'
Washington (UPI) Sep 2, 2011
Scientists studying Venus say NASA has a bias against the planet when it come to scientific missions and infrequent visits are hindering their research. Venus researchers voiced their frustrations at the annual meeting of NASA's Venus Exploration Analysis Group near Washington this week, the journal Nature reported. There hasn't been a U.S. mission to Venus since the Magellan pro ... read more


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