Japan Launches Leaner Space Program

Japan launched the first of its new-generation rocket Epsilon on Saturday, in a project aimed at bringing space satellites closer to everyday lives. The new solid-fuel rocket flew into the sky at 2 p.m. local time (1 a.m. ET) with a roaring sound, emitting an orange flame and white smoke. Designed to deliver smaller satellites more cheaply into space, the first Epsilon successfully carried a planet observation satellite, Sprint-A, into planned orbit. More

(Source: Wall Street Journal - Sep 16)