|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 23 February 2003 |
 |
|
 |
World |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
First launch of Japan spy satellites on March 28 TOKYO, Saturday (Reuters) Japan plans to launch its first spy satellites next month as tension runs high over North Korea's nuclear programme and Pyongyang's insistance that it is free to launch ballistic missiles, a Japanese newspaper said on Saturday. Up until now, Japan has lacked the technology to detect missile launches and has depended on the United States for information on regional security since the end of World War Two. The two satellites are set to be launched on March 28 from Japan's launch centre on the southwestern island of Tanegashima, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) said. Another two could be launched as early as this summer. Orbiting at a height of 400-600 km (250-370 miles), they will carry out surveillance primarily of areas surrounding Japan. Officials could not immediately be reached for comment. Japan has developed two types of satellite, one carrying light sensors capable of detecting earth-bound objects of one metre in length and another with radar capable of operating at night or in poor weather, the Nikkei said. One of each type is due to be launched next month. Japan's drive to launch its own spy satellites was prompted by the shock test launch by North Korea in August 1998 of a three-stage Taepodong-1 missile over Japan, which demonstrated that major population areas including Tokyo were within the estimated 1,000-km (600-mile) range of the missile. At the time of the launch, Japan was forced to rely on U.S. data. Pyongyang later said it would not carry out further testing, but said late last year the moratorium was no longer in effect. President George W. Bush, preparing for a possible war with Iraq, has repeatedly said the United States had no intention of attacking North Korea, which Bush had branded part of an "axis of evil" along with Iraq and Iran. But Bush has also said all options were open to end a stand-off over the North's suspected nuclear weapons programme, while Pyongyang has warned of "horrible nuclear disasters" should the United States attack. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is set to arrive in Tokyo later on Saturday at the start of a four-day trip to Japan, China and South Korea that will focus on North Korea. Speaking in Alaska as he began the trip, Powell revived the possibility that the United States could offer broad aid to North Korea but it must first end its suspected nuclear arms programme. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
