Japan's shuttle vehicle unveiled

Japan's shuttle vehicle unveiled

CHRISTMAS ISLAND, Kiribati - An unmanned jet-powered vehicle for Japan's own version of a space shuttle is unveiled to the media in the South Pacific republic of Kiribati on Oct. 15. The National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL) and National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) said the vehicle for an envisioned reusable rocket is expected to undergo a series of high-speed test flights from Oct. 17 at Aeon field on Kiribati's Christmas Island.

3 gov't space agencies to be integrated in 2003

3 gov't space agencies to be integrated in 2003

TOKYO, Japan - Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Atsuko Toyama announces the integration of three government-affiliated space agencies at a news conference in Tokyo on Aug. 21. The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) will be integrated into a new entity by fiscal 2003.

Japan's shuttle vehicle unveiled

Japan's shuttle vehicle unveiled

CHRISTMAS ISLAND, Kiribati - An unmanned jet-powered vehicle for Japan's own version of a space shuttle is unveiled to the media in the South Pacific republic of Kiribati on Oct. 15. The National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL) and National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) said the vehicle for an envisioned reusable rocket is expected to undergo a series of high-speed test flights from Oct. 17 at Aeon field on Kiribati's Christmas Island. (Kyodo)

Unmanned airship makes world's 1st flight into stratosphere

Unmanned airship makes world's 1st flight into stratosphere

MITO, Japan - An unmanned airship filled with air and helium stands ready to be flown into the stratosphere at the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture on Aug. 4. A Japanese research team successfully sent the airship into the stratosphere later in the day, marking the world's first such flight to the level. It collected air samples at an altitude of 16.4 km and returned after a flight of one hour and 54 minutes. (Kyodo)

3 gov't space agencies to be integrated in 2003

3 gov't space agencies to be integrated in 2003

TOKYO, Japan - Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Atsuko Toyama announces the integration of three government-affiliated space agencies at a news conference in Tokyo on Aug. 21. The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) will be integrated into a new entity by fiscal 2003.