The last spacecraft orbiting Venus, a Japanese probe known for its unique cultural stunt of sending a fictional pop star to the planet, has been declared officially dead. This event, confirmed on November 2, 2025, marks the end of an era in Venus exploration, as there are no longer any active orbital observers around the planet.
Mission Origins and Launch
The Japanese probe was a significant milestone in space exploration, marking Japan’s first mission to Venus. Its primary scientific objectives were to study the planet’s atmosphere and weather patterns, contributing to the broader understanding of Venus’s climatic conditions. The probe’s engineering highlights, such as its orbit insertion challenges, were a testament to the advancements in space technology and the growing international interest in Venus exploration.
The Fictional Pop Star Transmission
In a unique cultural stunt, the probe sent a fictional pop star to Venus. This event was a promotional tie-in with a Japanese media project, and it involved beaming data or signals representing the pop star towards Venus. The unconventional outreach received mixed reactions from the public and the scientific community, but it undeniably played a significant role in popularizing planetary science.
Operational Challenges and Anomalies
Despite its initial success, the probe faced several technical issues post-orbit insertion. These included power and communication failures that gradually degraded its performance. On September 24, 2025, the probe was declared dead following a series of incidents that rendered it inoperable. Despite attempts to revive or troubleshoot the spacecraft, it was confirmed to be permanently offline.
Scientific Contributions to Venus Study
The probe made significant contributions to the study of Venus’s atmospheric dynamics. Its data collection efforts provided unique insights into the planet’s weather patterns and atmospheric conditions. The probe’s infrared imaging and other instruments yielded valuable data, with the spacecraft completing numerous orbits around Venus. As the sole active Venus orbiter until November 2, 2025, the probe’s observations were irreplaceable.
Confirmation of Mission End
The official declaration of the probe’s death came on September 24, 2025. The operating agency confirmed the end of the mission, citing the final telemetry data and the loss-of-contact timeline. The probe’s status was updated to permanently offline, marking the end of the last spacecraft orbiting Venus.
Implications for Future Exploration
The demise of the probe leaves a gap in Venus orbital missions, with no active spacecraft around the planet as of late 2025. However, international efforts to return to Venus are underway, with upcoming probes from NASA and the European Space Agency. The end of the probe’s mission shifts the focus to ground-based or flyby observations for the study of Venus, opening a new chapter in the exploration of our neighboring planet.
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