Japan's 1st privately-funded rocket to be launched

Jul 27, 2017 | News On Japan

Jul 27, 2017 (NHK) - A Japanese startup firm has given news reporters a look at a rocket that will be launched on Saturday. It is the first rocket built in Japan without assistance from the government.

Interstellar Technologies, based in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, developed and produced the rocket. It is 10 meters long and about 50 centimeters in diameter.

On Wednesday, more than 30 people including reporters were invited to see the rocket on the launch pad at the firm's facility in the town of Taiki.

Company officials say the rocket will reach an altitude of about 100 kilometers. It will then splash down in the Pacific Ocean, 50 kilometers offshore, about 7 minutes later. The rocket will provide 4 minutes of weightlessness during flights.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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