Japan launches first ‘affordable’ space rocketSeptember 14, 2013 - 14:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Japan has launched the first in a new generation of space rockets, hoping the design will make missions more affordable, BBC News reported. The Epsilon rocket is about half the size of Japan's previous generation of space vehicles, and uses artificial intelligence to perform safety checks. Japan's space agency JAXA says the Epsilon cost $37 million to develop, half the cost of its predecessor. Epsilon launched from south-western Japan in the early afternoon. Crowds of Japanese gathered to watch the launch, which was also broadcast on the internet. It was carrying a telescope that is being billed by JAXA as the world's first space telescope that will remotely observe planets including Venus, Mars and Jupiter from its Earth orbit. JAXA said the rocket successfully released the Sprint-A telescope as scheduled, about 1,000km (620 miles) above the Earth's surface. Epsilon's predecessor, the M-5, was retired in 2006 because of spiraling costs. JAXA said the Epsilon was not only cheaper to produce, but also cheaper to launch than the M-5. Because of its artificial intelligence, the new rocket needs only eight people at the launch site, compared with 150 people for earlier launches. Japan's other recent space innovations included sending a talking robot to the International Space Station. "It was so thrilled that I was almost speechless," JAXA President Naoki Okumura told a televised news conference, according to the AP. "The challenge we had to face makes the excitement even greater." Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the success of a genuinely homemade rocket was a fruit of Japan's expertise and technology in space development. "It demonstrates Japanese space technology is highly reliable," he said in a statement, adding that the success would lead to a self-sustainable space transportation system, further space utilization and to help Japan's economic growth. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. U.S. doesn’t see Russia as contributing to peace in Caucasus Patel made the remarks when asked about the implications of Russia’s withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh. Up to 1% cashback when shopping on Wildberries with IDBank cards IDBank is launching an exclusive campaign on Wildberries for online shopping enthusiasts. |