SLATS – Spaceflight Now

September 19, 2024

Breaking News

[ September 18, 2024 ] Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket experiences abort as its Rutherford engines began firing, prior to liftoff Electron
[ September 17, 2024 ] SpaceX launches European Commission’s Galileo satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Falcon 9
[ September 15, 2024 ] Polaris Dawn crew returns to Earth with splashdown in Gulf of Mexico Mission Reports
[ September 12, 2024 ] SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from West Coast Falcon 9
[ September 12, 2024 ] First non-government spacewalk goes off without a hitch for Polaris Dawn crew 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.