The Economist (June 15)
Japan’s Space Agency JAXA deserves double credit. First there was the successful launch of Ikaros, an Earth-orbiting satellite powered by a 200 square meter solar sail. Then there was the successful return of the Hayabusa capsule. The Economist notes “Japan’s space programme has, so far, been a lot more successful than Britain’s was.” Oddly enough, the capsule landed in Australia near the place where Britain once launched three rockets. This strengthens the impression that Japan is “picking up” the space baton that Britain dropped long ago.
Japan’s Space Agency JAXA deserves double credit. First there was the successful launch of Ikaros, a satellite powered by a 200 square meter solar sail, which will orbit Earth. And then there was the successful return of the Hayabusa capsule. The Economist notes “Japan’s space programme has, so far, been a lot more successful than Britain’s was.” Notably, the capsule landed in Australia near the place where Britain launched its Black Knight, Black Arrow and Blue Streak rockets. This strengthens the impression that Japan is “picking up a baton” that Britain dropped long ago.
