IKAROS
IKAROS (Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun) is a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) experimental spacecraft. The spacecraft was launched on 20 May 2010, aboard an H-IIA rocket, together with the Akatsuki (Venus Climate Orbiter) probe and four other small spacecraft. IKAROS is the first spacecraft to successfully demonstrate solar sail technology in interplanetary space. The craft's name is an allusion to the legendary Icarus (Ancient Greek: Ἴκαρος, Ikaros), who flew close to the Sun on wings made of bird-feathers and wax.
A 1:64 scale model of the 14 m × 14 m (46 ft × 46 ft) sized IKAROS spacecraft | |
| Mission type | Solar sail technology |
|---|---|
| Operator | JAXA |
| COSPAR ID | 2010-020E |
| SATCAT no. | 36577 |
| Website | global |
| Mission duration | 5 years launch to last contact in 2015 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 310 kg |
| Dimensions | Solar sail: 14 m × 14 m (46 ft × 46 ft) (area: 196 m2 (2,110 sq ft)) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 21:58:22, 20 May 2010 (UTC) |
| Rocket | H-IIA 202 |
| Launch site | Tanegashima, LA-Y |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | 20 May 2015 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Heliocentric orbit |
| Flyby of Venus | |
| Closest approach | 8 December 2010 |
| Distance | 80,800 kilometers (50,200 mi) |
On 8 December 2010, IKAROS flew by Venus at a distance of 80,800 km (50,200 mi), successfully completing its planned mission, and entered its extended operation phase.
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