JAXA
IKAROS Wakes Up From Hibernation Mode for Third Time (Press Release - June 4)
The IKAROS seemed to wake up from its hibernation mode in mid-April, and JAXA searched for it based on its attitude and orbit prediction to receive its radio waves. On May 22 (Thu.), we successfully found the IKAROS, which is flying at a distance of about 230 million kilometers (143 million miles) from the Earth. We will continue to receive data from the IKAROS until mid-June to confirm its condition and analyze the information.
The IKAROS, launched in May 2010, completed its mission, and is now revolving around the sun about every 10 months. Power generation is insufficient for seven months out of 10 so the IKAROS goes into hibernation mode for this period by shutting down instruments. For the remaining three months, the IKAROS is awake with enough power so that we can receive data from it.
Source: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
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