Thursday, May 18, 2006; Posted: 10:41 a.m. EDT (14:41 GMT)
TOKYO, Japan (AP) --Japan's beleaguered space program will offer free space shots for private satellites aboard its most advanced rocket with the aim of boosting a program that has yet to launch a commercial probe.
The offer will let satellites piggyback with a government-backed payload, with the first liftoff scheduled for 2008, space agency spokesman Satoki Kurokawa said Thursday.
Weight restrictions limit candidate satellites for the program to 50 kilograms (110 pounds)....more...