JAXA Launches Satellite Which Creates Shooting Stars

The Epsilon-4 rocket lifting off from the Uchinoura Space Center on Jan. 18. Photo: AFP

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-1 mission today at 9:50 a.m. local time. The satellites were carried aboard the fourth Epsilon Launch Vehicle (Epsilon-4), which lifted off from the JAXA Uchinoura Space Center.

Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstoration-1 is a suite of seven small satellite missions. ALE-1, a smallsat on board, was developed by Japanese startup ALE to create and deliver artificial meteors.

All seven satellites separated from the launch vehicle successfully. Other smallsats launched included the MicroDragon and RISESAT; other cubesats included OrigamiSat-1, Aoba VELOX-IV, and NEXUS.