[Hatsune Miku] Akatsuki Will Fly Today!

Nearly ready for its launch, the H-II F17 Japanese rocket rests within the Tanegashima Space Center, which will carry the Akatsuki and IKAROS (Interplanetary Kite-Craft Accelerated by Radiation of the Sun) space probes towards outer space. The launch is due 22:44 PM GMT and a live feed will be broadcast here. Once disengaged from the rocket, the two probes will begin a 6 month journey towards Venus.

After its short interplanetary trip, the Akatsuki probe will go into an elliptical orbit around its destination. The mission is planned for 4 years total and its goals are the study of the structure, composition and weather phenomena of the dense Venusian atmosphere.

The IKAROS’ mission will have the single goal of testing its hybrid propulsion system during the trip, based on the concept of solar sailing. Because of this, the probe will transport a 20-meter wide solar sail which, post unfolding, will provide acceleration via photon tension radiation on its highly reflective surface, and also energy for ionic propulsion engines through photovoltaic cells inserted into the sail’s structure.

~Have a safe trip, Miku-san!