3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
[PPS04-01] Scientific objectives of the AKATSUKI extended mission
Keywords:Venus atmospheric dynamics, AKATSUKI extended mission
The Venus Climate Orbiter, AKATSUKI, has been observing the Venus climate, such as morphology, dynamics and temperature of its cloud, for more than eight years since it was inserted to an elongated equatorial orbit around Venus in 2015. The extension of the observing operation has now been approved by the latest review, allowing observations until the end of March 2029. This talk will present the scientific objectives for the extended period, including the current status of AKATSUKI.
The evolution of AKATSUKI's scientific objectives can be divided into three major phases. In the initial phase, which lasted about five years from the start of Venus observations, the main scientific results were derived from observational discoveries. In the middle phase of the following about three years, several long-term variational trends were identified, leading to the next scientific objectives of separating internal and external drivers. And also the study of data assimilation progressed and re-analysis data became available to the public. In the final phase of the next five years, the observations will continue to provide homogeneous observational data as before and the main scientific objective is to identify the drivers of long-term variations.
If the spacecraft completes this approved period, AKATSUKI will be able to observe Venus’s cloud by the same instrument over the entire 11-year solar activity cycle, providing the most valuable opportunity to date. It would be very pleasing if this talk could lead to the consideration of joint studies on Venusian atmospheric dynamics, including simultaneous observations and data analysis.
The evolution of AKATSUKI's scientific objectives can be divided into three major phases. In the initial phase, which lasted about five years from the start of Venus observations, the main scientific results were derived from observational discoveries. In the middle phase of the following about three years, several long-term variational trends were identified, leading to the next scientific objectives of separating internal and external drivers. And also the study of data assimilation progressed and re-analysis data became available to the public. In the final phase of the next five years, the observations will continue to provide homogeneous observational data as before and the main scientific objective is to identify the drivers of long-term variations.
If the spacecraft completes this approved period, AKATSUKI will be able to observe Venus’s cloud by the same instrument over the entire 11-year solar activity cycle, providing the most valuable opportunity to date. It would be very pleasing if this talk could lead to the consideration of joint studies on Venusian atmospheric dynamics, including simultaneous observations and data analysis.