Japan's newest rocket fails to lift off
Japan's first new rocket in 12 years failed to lift off on
Tuesday, dealing a potential blow to hopes that Japan may be able to take a
larger share of the growing, multi-billion dollar satellite launch industry. It
was the second setback for the Epsilon rocket this month. The countdown at
Japan's Uchinoura launch center was broadcast live over the Internet, with
commentary in English as well as Japanese. But nothing happened at the end of
the countdown.
A three-stage rocket, the Epsilon - named for the fifth
letter of the Greek alphabet - is 24.4 meters (80 feet) high, about half the
size of Japan's workhorse H2A rocket. It weighs 91 metric tons (100.31 tons)
and has been touted as a new, low-cost alternative. The rocket was scheduled to
carry a telescope into space for observation of the solar system.
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