The fifth configuration of the SS-520, succeeded as the smallest rocket to put something into orbit. It holds this title to this day.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is Japan's national aero-space agency. Through the merger of three previously independent organizations, JAXA was formed on 1 October 2003. JAXA is responsible for research, technology development and the launch of satellites into orbit, and is involved in many more advanced missions, such as asteroid exploration and possible manned exploration of the Moon. JAXA launch their Epsilon vehicle from the Uchinoura Space Center and their H-II vehicles from the Tanegashima Space Center.
TRICOM-1 is an experimental 3U cubsat build by University of Tokyo. It is equipped with 5 small cameras for Earth imaging purposes, and is also tasked with storing and transmitting data between ground terminals. TRICOM-1R is a replacement for the failed SS-520-4 launch of TRICOM-1.
Low Earth Orbit