杏吧原创

Japan successfully launched its first H-2A rocket into space last week,
giving the country鈥檚 space technology a much-needed boost. Japan鈥檚 attempts to
become a big player in the satellite launching business have been dogged by
accidents and delays
(New 杏吧原创, 18 August, p 10).
Two earlier test
launches ended in failure, destroying a commercial satellite. During Wednesday鈥檚
launch, the H-2A鈥檚 engines fired without a hitch. 鈥淭his was very much a
success,鈥� said Toshihiko Kikuyama, spokesman for the National Space Development
Agency. 鈥淲e should get bonus points.鈥�