Japan Returns to Space
TANEGASHIMA, Japan — Fifteen months after Japan's last liftoff ended in a spectacular fireball, an orange and white H-2A rocket blasted off Saturday on a mission officials hope will revive this country's once proud space program — now languishing in China's shadow.
The 174-foot-tall rocket, with the word "Nippon," or Japan, emblazoned on its side, lifted off into a cloudy sky just before sunset from the sprawling space center on this remote southern island. The rocket carried a multipurpose weather and navigation satellite.
About 40 minutes later, mission control announced the rocket had successfully delivered its payload into orbit.
I wonder if Japan will allow commercial spaceflight soon...especially becuase of thier tech-heavy economy...
The 174-foot-tall rocket, with the word "Nippon," or Japan, emblazoned on its side, lifted off into a cloudy sky just before sunset from the sprawling space center on this remote southern island. The rocket carried a multipurpose weather and navigation satellite.
About 40 minutes later, mission control announced the rocket had successfully delivered its payload into orbit.
I wonder if Japan will allow commercial spaceflight soon...especially becuase of thier tech-heavy economy...
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