Japanese spacecraft reaches Venus — five years late

Akatsuki finally arrives at its destination after a detour around the sun

illustration of Akatsuki spacecraft

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER Five years after an engine misfire, the Akatsuki spacecraft (illustrated) just got a second chance at orbiting the planet Venus.

JAXA

After missing a turn off the interplanetary expressway, a spacecraft has now finished taking the scenic route to Venus.