A small sounding rocket of JAXA = Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency for the development of a future supersonic engine called "Scramjet" was launched from the launch site in Kimotsuki Town, Kagoshima Prefecture on the morning of the 24th.
JAXA's small sounding rocket "S-520-RD" No. 1 was launched from the Uchinoura Space Center in Kimotsuki-cho at 5 am on the 24th.
The rocket is over 9 meters long, 52 centimeters in diameter, weighs about 2.6 tons, and after igniting the engine, it climbed with a roaring sound.
At the launch, the test body mounted on the upper part of the aircraft will be separated at about 160 km above the sky.
The specimen will reach 5 to 6 times the speed of sound or more during the fall, so we plan to obtain data on combustion.
This launch is based on research adopted by the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, and if it can be put into practical use, it will be possible to load more cargo at JAXA by using oxygen in the atmosphere to eliminate the need for oxygen loading. Therefore, it is expected to be used for future spacecraft.
JAXA is analyzing the data received from the rocket side, and after that, we will hold a press conference around 9 am and report the result of the launch.