Japan launches mission to study black holes:Astro-H satellite learn about how our universe formed

The Japanese space agency has successfully launched a new satellite mission in the hunt for black holes.

The Astro-H satellite was launched aboard the H-IIA rocket, which lifted off from the Tahegashima Space Center at 5:45pm local time (8.45am GMT).

The satellite has four telescopes that will enable the space agency to peer into far off galaxy clusters, providing data on how they formed.

The X-ray astronomy satellite (Astro-H), which the agency has named 'Hitomi', is a joint collaboration between Jaxa, Nasa, and other groups, including the European Space Agency.

It will enter Earth's orbit at an estimated altitude 360 miles (580 km) – far above the International Space Station's orbit of around 250 miles (400 km).

The agency reported that a valve broke due to a build-up of salt and the craft spiralled away from the planet, becoming stranded in an orbit around the sun.

Jaxa decided to send the probe into 'hibernation mode', and devised a plan to try again as soon as the craft journeyed by Venus again.

As the main engine was beyond repair, Akatsuki dumped 143lbs (65 kilograms) of fuel in 2011. 

This made the probe lighter and easier to steer into position with less propulsion.

The second-chance manoeuvre took place yesterday and engineers used the craft's eight small RCS thrusters, usually employed for small adjustments, to change its trajectory.

After burning its remaining engines at 8.51am Japan time (23.51pm GMT on 6 December), the craft rotated into a new position and was captured by Venus' gravity after a 20-minute flight. 

Akatsuki, which means 'dawn' in Japanese, will use five cameras and a radio instrument to study the planet's atmosphere.