The JAXA Space Exploration Center lists Ikaros, the solar sail mission to Jupiter, as a developing mission, so is this coming for 2013 launch?
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/e/activity/index.html
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/e/activity/ikaros.html
http://www.astro.isas.jaxa.jp/suzaku/works...Mission2006.pdf
The mission will visit the polar region of Jupiter and the Trojan asteroids. But its main aim is to test new technologies for solar sail.
Full Version: Mission Ikaros
QUOTE (spdf @ Jul 19 2008, 08:45 AM) 
The JAXA Space Exploration Center lists Ikaros, the solar sail mission to Jupiter, as a developing mission
What is the Japanese word for sisu?
Before Hayabusa, I might have scoffed, but that sounds cool. I don't know that it will be the first to Jupiter's polar regions....if the launch slips a bit, that could go to Juno (and arguably already goes to Pioneer 11, but that depends on how you define visiting the polar regions). I love the idea of a Trojan flyby(s).
Launch of the IKAROS test vehicle is May 2010 as a subpayload of Planet-C. see jaxa.jp or the Japanese wikipedia.
The IKAROS test vehicle is a 315 kg satellite. It will test the deployment of a 20 m solar sail and get navigation experience.
The IKAROS test vehicle is a 315 kg satellite. It will test the deployment of a 20 m solar sail and get navigation experience.
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