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  • “Exploration is in our nature.” - Carl Sagan

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

The Planetary Society is the world's largest and most influential space interest organization. Founded in 1980 by astronomer Carl Sagan with Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit is led today by CEO Jenn Vaughn and championed by Chief Ambassador Bill Nye. Members and donors fund programs in science and technology, public outreach, and advocacy. This work advances the exploration of space, the search for life beyond Earth, and the defense of our planet from dangerous asteroids and comets. Learn more at planetary.org.

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