SLATS – Spaceflight Now

March 31, 2023

Breaking News

[ March 30, 2023 ] Live coverage: SpaceX countdown at Vandenberg aborted at T-minus 3 seconds Falcon 9
[ March 29, 2023 ] First launch for Pentagon’s own mega-constellation set for Thursday Falcon 9
[ March 29, 2023 ] SpaceX launches another bundle of Starlink internet satellites Mission Reports
[ March 28, 2023 ] Damaged Russian Soyuz capsule returns to Earth without a crew Mission Reports
[ March 27, 2023 ] Blue Origin blames September New Shepard abort on engine nozzle failure 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.