Japan Defense Ministry aims to build capability to rapidly launch rockets
- TOKYO - Japan's Defense Ministry is soliciting research proposals from private companies as part of efforts to develop small rockets that can quickly launch alternative satellites if existing ones in space are attacked or malfunction.
- Around 70 million yen ($444,000) has been allocated in the fiscal 2026 budget for the research initiative aimed at expediting space transport.
- In filtering the research proposals, the ministry said it will study the development costs as well as the methods and time required for manufacturing the rockets and decide on a contractor by February next year.
Unverified
- TOKYO - Japan's Defense Ministry is soliciting research proposals from private companies as part of efforts to develop small rockets that can quickly launch alternative satellites if existing ones in space are attacked or malfunction.
- Around 70 million yen ($444,000) has been allocated in the fiscal 2026 budget for the research initiative aimed at expediting space transport.
- In filtering the research proposals, the ministry said it will study the development costs as well as the methods and time required for manufacturing the rockets and decide on a contractor by February next year.
Sources: Kyodonews