Japan rocket for small satellites completes burn test ahead of launch

A static firing test of the Japanese space agency's small, solid-fueled rocket is seen as a step toward resuming progress on satellite launches. (JAXA)KENTO FUKUIJuly 24, 2026 02:45 JSTTOKYO -- A static firing test for Japan's Epsilon S small satellite rocket was completed on Thursday, marking a major step forward for the country's long-delayed launch plans. TOKYO -- A static firing test for Japan's Epsilon S small satellite rocket was completed on Thursday, marking a major step forward for the country's long-delayed launch plans.

TOKYO -- A static firing test for Japan's Epsilon S small satellite rocket was completed on Thursday, marking a major step forward for the country's long-delayed launch plans. Read NextTech AsiaInside Taiwan's most ambitious space mission yetAerospace & Defense IndustriesSkyroot sends India's first private rocket into orbitAerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan space agency conducts successful reusable rocket test flightAerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan to test launch reusable rocket in chase with SpaceXAerospace & Defense IndustriesChina satellite companies set sights on SpaceX, pushing to ramp up launchesAerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan enters low-cost rocket competition against SpaceX with H3 launchAerospace & Defense IndustriesChina sends astronaut on yearlong space mission at Tiangong stationLatest on Aerospace & Defense IndustriesAerospace & Defense IndustriesThai firms pivot to defense as government pushes local procurementAerospace & Defense IndustriesAnduril, other drone makers eye Japanese tech in global expansionAerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan eyes next homegrown passenger aircraft 3 years after SpaceJet's end Read Next Read Next Tech AsiaInside Taiwan's most ambitious space mission yetAerospace & Defense IndustriesSkyroot sends India's first private rocket into orbitAerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan space agency conducts successful reusable rocket test flightAerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan to test launch reusable rocket in chase with SpaceXAerospace & Defense IndustriesChina satellite companies set sights on SpaceX, pushing to ramp up launchesAerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan enters low-cost rocket competition against SpaceX with H3 launchAerospace & Defense IndustriesChina sends astronaut on yearlong space mission at Tiangong station Tech AsiaInside Taiwan's most ambitious space mission yet Tech AsiaInside Taiwan's most ambitious space mission yet Aerospace & Defense IndustriesSkyroot sends India's first private rocket into orbit Aerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan space agency conducts successful reusable rocket test flight Aerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan to test launch reusable rocket in chase with SpaceX Aerospace & Defense IndustriesChina satellite companies set sights on SpaceX, pushing to ramp up launches Aerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan enters low-cost rocket competition against SpaceX with H3 launch Aerospace & Defense IndustriesChina sends astronaut on yearlong space mission at Tiangong station Latest on Aerospace & Defense Industries Latest on Aerospace & Defense Industries Aerospace & Defense IndustriesThai firms pivot to defense as government pushes local procurementAerospace & Defense IndustriesAnduril, other drone makers eye Japanese tech in global expansionAerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan eyes next homegrown passenger aircraft 3 years after SpaceJet's end Aerospace & Defense IndustriesThai firms pivot to defense as government pushes local procurement Aerospace & Defense IndustriesAnduril, other drone makers eye Japanese tech in global expansion Aerospace & Defense IndustriesJapan eyes next homegrown passenger aircraft 3 years after SpaceJet's end Sponsored Content Sponsored Content