Part of Japan’s $150 billion stimulus plan calls for a new domestic industry for small satellites. A science ministry spokesperson indicates that the smaller satellites (each 50 cm long and weighing 50 kg) can be deployed quickly and cheaply for such tasks as monitoring natural disasters and traffic jams. Japan plans to build 50 to 100 satellites for $3 million to $4 million each to be launched into a low-Earth orbit by an inexpensive Russian rocket.

Read more here via U.S. News and World Report.

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