Launch of privately developed Japanese rocket fails

The launch of what would have been the first Japanese rocket entirely developed by private industry to reach outer space failed Sunday, the Hokkaido-based rocket developer said.Officials of Interstellar Technologies Inc., founded by former Livedoor Co. President Takafumi Horie, said the launch of the 10-meter-long rocket, MOMO, was aborted after communication with the rocket's telemetry system was lost about 80 seconds after liftoff from a test site in the town of Taiki on Japan's northernmost main island.The rocket fell into the sea some 8 kilometers from shore after its engine was stopped…READ FULL ARTICLE