Rocket: H-2A
Payload: Akatsuki
Date: May 20, 2010
Time: 2158:22 GMT (5:58:22 p.m. EDT)
Site: Launch Pad 1, Yoshinobu Launch Complex, Tanegashima, Japan

Mission Status Center

By Stephen Clark

Welcome to Spaceflight Now's live coverage of the launch of Japan's H-2A rocket with the Akatsuki probe bound for Venus. Text updates will appear automatically; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter.

Photo credit: JAXA/Akihiro Ikeshita

Complete Mission Coverage

H-2A successfully launches
Launch preview story
Setting sail on sunlight
Spacecraft meets H-2A rocket
Venus orbiter arrives at Tanegashima
The H-2A rocket's launch sequence
Diagram of the H-2A rocket
Ground track map depicting the rocket's ascent

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STS-129: Helping fortify future of the space station
Delta 2 and STSS Demo
HTV: Japan's new cargo freighter
STS-128: Bringing new science to the station
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STS-127: Completing Japan's section of station
STS-125: Final Hubble Space Telescope servicing
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STS-119: Finishing the station's power grid

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