Japan Aims to Turn Artificial Shooting Stars Into a Business

Feb 05 (News On Japan) - Japanese startup ALE announced on February 4 that it will conduct its third demonstration experiment to generate artificial shooting stars in 2028, positioning the project as a step toward eventual commercialization rather than a one-off spectacle.

The experiment will involve launching a satellite into a circular orbit at an altitude of about 400 kilometers using a rocket, after which the satellite will release specially developed metal particles that reenter the atmosphere and burn up, creating the appearance of shooting stars visible from the ground. ALE has attempted the experiment twice in the past, successfully launching and placing satellites into orbit on both occasions, but failed to generate artificial meteors due to malfunctions in the onboard release mechanism, preventing the particles from being deployed. For the upcoming attempt, the company says it has redesigned the release device and introduced a new system aimed at avoiding such operational failures, resulting in a more reliable configuration for producing artificial shooting stars.

ALE President Reina Okajima said: “This is not just about entertainment or beauty; there is a scientific contribution behind it. We want to turn these shooting stars into a real business, and after a successful challenge in 2028, we plan to move toward commercialization.”

Source: テレ東BIZ

Farewell Ceremony Held for Golf Legend Masashi Ozaki

A farewell ceremony for Masashi Ozaki, a legendary figure in Japanese golf affectionately known as “Jumbo,” who died at the age of 78 last December, was held at a hotel in Tokyo on March 16th, drawing many figures from the golf world and related industries to pay their respects.

Hormuz Strait Blockade Sends Shockwaves Through Japan's Economy

Two weeks after attacks on Iran triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, turmoil has spread through the global economy, with rising gasoline prices already hitting consumers while a looming shortage of petrochemical materials threatens to drive up the cost of everyday goods.

JR East Implements Major Fare Increase

JR East raised fares across all of its service areas on March 14th, marking the first fare hike since the company’s privatization and the first major increase in about 40 years, excluding adjustments tied to consumption tax increases.

Nara Ranked 44th Nationwide for Overnight Stays

Kyoto Prefecture recorded more than 30 million overnight visitors last year, reinforcing its status as one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations.

Japan's Young Doctors Flocking to Cosmetic Medicine

The number of young doctors entering cosmetic medicine immediately after completing their initial medical training is rapidly increasing in Japan, raising concerns within the healthcare industry about the future of medical care and the training of physicians.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

Remote Sensing From Space Advances

A rapidly advancing technology known as remote sensing—used to observe and analyze Earth from space—is opening new possibilities for predicting disasters and understanding environmental changes.

Solar Panels Spread Across Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Areas

More than a decade after the nuclear disaster forced all residents of Futaba in Fukushima Prefecture to evacuate, solar panels are now spreading across the town, creating both opportunities and unease as reconstruction tax incentives attract energy projects to the area.

The Tokyo Hair Edit: Navigating Japan’s Seasonal Extremes with Sustainable Science

In the vertical cities of Tokyo and Osaka, your visual presentation is more than just a personal choice; it is a non-verbal form of omotenashi—the Japanese art of hospitality and respect.

Sake Brewed on International Space Station Arrives at Kansai Airport

Sake brewed aboard the International Space Station returned from orbit and arrived at Kansai International Airport on March 6th, marking a milestone in a Japanese initiative aimed at eventually producing alcohol on the Moon.

Private Rocket Self-Destructs After Liftoff in Wakayama

A small rocket launched by Japanese space venture Space One was destroyed mid-flight on March 5th after aborting its mission shortly after liftoff from a private launch facility in Wakayama Prefecture.

NEC has created a unique IR sensor with a sensitivity 3 times higher than all existing analogues

NEC Corporation, a Japanese leader in advanced technology, has developed its own infrared sensor with sensitivity three times that of existing analogs.

Japan Uses Laser Beams to Measure Territory With 1cm Precision

A green beam of light piercing the night sky from Wakayama Prefecture is helping scientists determine Japan’s exact position on Earth with centimeter-level precision, as the Japan Coast Guard continues decades of satellite laser measurements at the Shimosato Hydrographic Observatory.

Startups Report Progress in Tokyo’s 'Be Smart Tokyo' Initiative

A report session for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s "Be Smart Tokyo" project, an initiative aimed at improving the quality of life of residents through the power of digital technology as part of the broader goal of creating "Smart Tokyo," was held on March 4th.

< 2 3 4 5 >