SLATS – Spaceflight Now

December 7, 2025

Breaking News

[ December 7, 2025 ] Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 3,000th Starlink satellite in 2025 on record-setting 32nd flight of Falcon 9 booster Falcon 9
[ December 7, 2025 ] SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB Falcon 9
[ December 5, 2025 ] International Space Station prepares for new commander, heads into final five years of planned operations Mission Reports
[ December 4, 2025 ] SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB Falcon 9
[ December 4, 2025 ] Orion hatch ‘blemish’ delays launch day rehearsal for Artemis 2 astronauts Mission Reports

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.