SLATS – Spaceflight Now

September 30, 2023

Breaking News

[ September 28, 2023 ] Launch of NASA’s Psyche asteroid mission slips a week due to spacecraft issue Falcon Heavy
[ September 27, 2023 ] Soyuz lands safely in Kazakhstan to end record-breaking mission; Rubio: “It’s good to be home” News
[ September 27, 2023 ] Live coverage: Space station crew return to Earth after 371-day mission News
[ September 27, 2023 ] Rapid response Victus Nox launch success open new possibilities for Space Force, commercial space industry News
[ September 26, 2023 ] Two cosmonauts, NASA astronaut head for Wednesday landing after yearlong mission News

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.