Japan’s H3 rocket successfully launched its third mission, deploying the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 (ALOS-4) into a sun-synchronous orbit. The successful launch marks a significant milestone for JAXA as it aims to make the H3 a competitive commercial launch vehicle. The rocket is designed to launch six times annually for the next 20 years, carrying satellites for both government and commercial entities.
Japan’s space agency, JAXA, has lost contact with its Venus spacecraft, Akatsuki. The spacecraft, which has been studying Venus’ climate since 2015, has been experiencing problems with its attitude control system. JAXA is currently attempting to reestablish communication with the spacecraft. Akatsuki is Japan’s only active spacecraft currently in orbit around Venus. The spacecraft has been providing valuable data on Venus’ climate and atmospheric dynamics. JAXA is hopeful that it can restore contact with the spacecraft and continue its mission.
The EarthCARE satellite, a joint endeavor between ESA and JAXA, has been successfully launched to study the impact of clouds and aerosols on Earth’s climate. Equipped with advanced instruments, EarthCARE will provide detailed data on aerosol profiles, cloud properties, and their influence on radiation balance. This mission aims to improve the accuracy of climate and weather prediction models.
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has reported that Japan’s first moon lander, SLIM, has successfully survived its third freezing lunar night. Operated by JAXA, SLIM landed on the lunar surface on January 20, 2024, making Japan the fifth country to successfully place a spacecraft on the moon. The small lander, designed to test Japan’s precise lunar landing technology, was not built to survive the extremely cold temperatures of a lunar night. However, it has managed to do so, providing valuable data about the drastic temperature fluctuations on the moon. Despite the lack of solar energy during the lunar night, SLIM successfully responded to a signal from Earth on Tuesday night, confirming that it is still operational. This is a significant achievement, as the lander has now demonstrated its ability to withstand the harsh and unforgiving conditions of the lunar surface. JAXA plans to continue monitoring the lander’s condition and collect as much data as possible before it inevitably succumbs to the harsh lunar environment.
