Japan to Launch Small Satellite in 2014

(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Japan plans to launch a small, low-cost satellite into space in 2014. The country hopes to export the satellite to emerging nations. Demand for satellites is growing in emerging economies. Thailand and the United Arab Emirates launched satellites in recent years. Japan's newly-developed satellite ASNARO will go into space by August using a Russian rocket. Japan's industry ministry commissioned a major electric machinery maker among others to develop the satellite, according to Japan's (NHK WORLD) website. The price of ASNARO will be under 10 billion yen, or less than 95 million dollars. That's around one third the price of a Western-made satellite with the same performance. The low cost is due to downsizing and use of ordinary electric instruments. ASNARO is fitted with a powerful camera. It can identify small details on Earth, such as the make of a car, from an altitude of 500 kilometers. The satellite is useful in understanding disaster zones and urban planning. An industry ministry official says the satellite is targeted for emerging Asian countries for its performance and price. Ministry officials plan to start full-scale promotion after checking its performance for about a year after the scheduled launch.