World's first cow dung rocket gets ready to blast off in Hokkaido

SAPPORO, Dec 29 (News On Japan) - A rocket fueled by cow dung and urine is preparing for launch in Taiki, Hokkaido, a town with a bovine population 5 times greater than humans, known as the "Town Close to Space."

"Interstellar Technologies" recently made public the world's first experiment of its kind, demonstrating a rocket engine reaching temperatures over 3000°C using "liquefied biomethane."

In May 2019, a rocket developed and manufactured by the private company became the first in Japan to exceed an altitude of 100 kilometers and reach space.

Currently, they are developing a new rocket called "ZERO," to carry "small artificial satellites" into the cosmos.

"ZERO" is 32 meters in length and weighs over 70 tons.

The experiment was conducted in Taiki Town, Tokachi, with a population of about 5,300 and dairy cows numbering 25,000.

"ZERO" aims to launch in the coming year or later, with further experiments planned.

Source: 日テレNEWS

China Set to Lift Japanese Seafood Ban

The Japanese government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have decided to enhance their monitoring system for the release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean, as efforts to resume seafood imports from Japan to China gain momentum.

Tohoku Shinkansen Unexpected Detaches at 315 km/h

The Tohoku Shinkansen came to a halt for five hours on Thursday due to an unexpected mid-journey separation of the linked Hayabusa and Komachi trains, 30 minutes after passing Furukawa Station with a total of 320 passengers on board.

Eruption Warning for Izu's Sumisu Island

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued an eruption alert for Sumisu Island in the Izu Islands, following the detection of discolored water in July.

'Convenience Store of the Future' Launched with AI Cameras and Robots

Lawson and KDDI have teamed up to launch a 'convenience store of the future' that integrates the latest technology with communications, aiming to address labor shortages and enhance store operations.

Japanese boy attacked near school in China dies, consulate says

A ten-year-old boy who was attacked on his way to a Japanese school in southern China has died of his injuries. (NHK)

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

Endangered Beetle Captured in Fukuoka for First Time in 20 Years

The endangered Shimagengorou, a fast-swimming beetle known to inhabit still waters such as ponds and rice paddies, has been captured for the first time in 20 years in Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Martian Stone Discovered by Japanese Team to Be Featured at Osaka-Kansai Expo

A new highlight for the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which will be held next year, has been revealed: a 'Martian stone,' roughly the size of a rugby ball, black and rugged.

Japanese Scientists Win Ig Nobel Prize for Anus Breathing Discovery

In this year's Ig Nobels, Japanese researchers have won an award for discovering that mammals can breathe through their anuses, opening a new pathway for ventilators.

The Japanese Astronaut Who Hated Space: Akiyama Toyohiro

In 1990, journalist Akiyama Toyohiro became the first Japanese astronaut and journalist in space. Too bad he had such a rough time of it. (Unseen Japan)

Fuel Debris Removal Restarts: How Dangerous Is It?

The removal of fuel debris, a crucial and highly challenging part of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant decommissioning process, has resumed. This process, regarded as the most difficult aspect of the decommissioning effort, focuses on extracting melted and solidified nuclear fuel, known as fuel debris, from the plant's reactors.