JAXA to start flight tests in June to develop reusable rocket tech

TOKYO - The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will begin flight tests in June to develop technology for the reuse of the first stages of launch vehicles, a government source said Saturday.JAXA expects reusability to slash rocket launch costs to around a hundredth of the current 7 billion yen ($66 million), strengthening Japan's competitiveness in aerospace amid growing demand.The agency has been preparing since 2016 for the flight tests, involving 7-meter long rockets that are 1.8 meters in diameter. Once the rockets reach a height of 100 meters above ground, they will be controlled to hov…READ FULL ARTICLE