January 16, 2007 Updated
Launch success of "S-310-37"
On January 16, the sounding rocket "S-310-37" was launched at 11:20 a.m. from the Uchinoura Space Center. The purpose of the rocket is to elucidate the mechanism of the generation of the high electron temperature sphere in the lower part of the ionosphere. The flight and operation of the on-board equipment went normally, and at 59 seconds after liftoff, the top part of the rocket opened.
Subsequently, the rocket started observations at 60 seconds. All observations were completed after it reached its highest altitude of 138 km at 184 seconds, then it fell into the sea south-east of Uchinoura.
The experiment went smoothly as planned, and through the on board electronic temperature measurement equipment we have confirmed that the high-temperature sphere existed at an altitude of 99 to 101 km.
January 12, 2007 Updated
The Presidentīs New Year Interview, 2007
There is so much to look forward to in space development this year. After launching six rockets last year, we will launch two more, as well as the Japanese experiment module for the International Space Station (ISS), which will take off aboard the space shuttle.We hope you will follow these and other exciting events with interest. We will do our best to succeed.