An interplanetary probe intended to go into orbit around Venus has failed in its mission. Japan's space agency said today, 200 days after it left Earth that Akatsuki, or Dawn, was intended to be the first Japanese satellite to orbit a planet other than Earth. Officially called the Planet-C Venus Climate Orbiter, the box-shaped golden satellite fitted with two paddle-shaped solar panels had blasted off from a space centre in southern Japan in May. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said the probe reversed its engine to slow down and enter the planet's gravitational field yesterday, when it temporarily lost contact with ground control.