Tokyo - May 19, 1997 - The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) will conduct a study to develop a new small one-ton satellite launcher, the J-1A. The announcement for the new two-stage launcher, made on May 16, pitches an adapted Lockheed Martin oxygen-kerosene fueled first-stage against a H2A derived solid rocket booster developed by Nissan Aerospace. The main aim of the study is to develop a rocket that will reduce launch costs to between $10-20 million, or around $10,000 per kilogram compared to the current price tag of $35 million for the J1.

NASDA also wants to increase the orbit insertion accuracy of the J1 to 20-30 km compared to a current accuracy of 100 km. The study will also look at speeding up production times for the rocket. The Space Activities Commission regards the current J1 as too costly and unsuitable for NASDA's next-century experimental satellite program MDS.

A spin on benefit is also in the commercial sector where demand for LEO launches is increasing rapidly with the growing number of telcom constellations being built. However, a well placed source said the J1 is too expensive and doubted it would be commercially successful anytime soon.