民間ロケット、打ち上げ成功　ＭＯＭＯ、宇宙に２度目―北海道・大樹町

　北海道大樹町のベンチャー企業「インターステラテクノロジズ（ＩＳＴ）」は３日、小型観測ロケット「ＭＯＭＯ（モモ）」７号機を同町の発射場から打ち上げた。同社によると、宇宙空間とされる高度１００キロに到達し、打ち上げは成功した。
　国内の民間企業が単独開発したロケットが宇宙に届いたのは、２０１９年５月のモモ３号機に続いて２回目。
　ＩＳＴによると、７号機は３日午後５時４５分に打ち上げられ、計画通り約２分間燃焼。高度約１００キロに到達した後、同５５分に発射地点から南東約７３キロの太平洋に着水した。
　ＩＳＴの稲川貴大社長は記者会見し、「想定していた動作はすべて正常でデータを取得できたことで、ミッションは成功した」などと話した。（2021/07/03-22:02）

A startup in the northernmost Japan prefecture of Hokkaido launched a small observation rocket on Saturday.
   The Momo7 rocket, which is about 10 meters long and 50 centimeters in diameter, was lifted off from a launch site in the town of Taiki in Hokkaido at 5:45 p.m. (8:45 a.m. GMT) and reached an altitude of about 99 kilometers, with engine combustion lasting for about two minutes as planned, according to Interstellar Technologies Inc. The rocket then fell into the Pacific Ocean off Hokkaido.
   People related to the company said that the launch was successful although the rocket did not reach an altitude of 100 kilometers. A rocket flying to 100 kilometers above Earth is recognized as being in outer space.
   Interstellar Technologies tried to launch Momo7 in July last year, but canceled the launch at the eleventh hour due to a defect in its engine ignition device. The company later revamped Momo7, including its engine system and electronic equipment.
   The company, which seeks to mass-produce affordable small rockets, hopes to win many orders following the successful launch of Momo7. It also aims to utilize the success to develop a rocket to put a satellite into orbit.