AEROSPACE
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Made-in-Japan Rocket Blasts Off: The first major rocket developed completely in Japan roared into space from a launch pad in Tanegashima. The country hopes the advanced H-II will lift Japan into the commercial satellite business. However, analysts say the cost of the H-II’s leading-edge technology--coupled with the strong yen--will make it too expensive to compete in the tough satellite-launching market. The H-II was developed at a cost of $2.4 billion.
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