SLATS – Spaceflight Now

August 26, 2025

Breaking News

[ August 26, 2025 ] Live coverage: SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 rocket on rideshare mission from Vandenberg SFB Falcon 9
[ August 25, 2025 ] Poor weather delays Starship Flight 10 to Tuesday Mission Reports
[ August 25, 2025 ] Cargo ship docks with International Space Station Mission Reports
[ August 24, 2025 ] SpaceX scrubs crucial 10th test flight of Starship Mission Reports
[ August 24, 2025 ] NASA, SpaceX launch Dragon to the ISS on extended cargo, station boosting mission Falcon 9

Japanese satellite re-enters atmosphere after experiments in ultra-low orbit

October 15, 2019 Stephen Clark

An experimental Japanese satellite has ended its mission after proving it could operate at super-low altitudes, testing an Earth-imaging camera and using ion propulsion to fight against aerodynamic drag at an altitude of 112 miles.

Japanese H-2A rocket lifts off with two satellites

December 22, 2017 Stephen Clark

Two research satellites to probe Earth’s climate patterns and test ion engine technology to counter atmospheric drag in an unusual low-altitude orbit launched Saturday on top of a Japanese H-2A rocket.