Japan puts Nasa in space

Japan launched a foreign satellite with its own rocket for the first time yesterday, boosting the nation's satellite-launching technology and chances of developing a lucrative space programme.

The H-2 rocket, carrying a satellite designed to study tropical and subtropical rainfall, lifted off from Tanegashima Space Centre in southern Japan.

The tropical rainfall measuring mission satellite was developed at a cost of 33 billion yen ($ 260m) by Nasa, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

-Tokyo (AP)