Having vowed to "revolutionize the rocket world," aerospace engineer Yasuhiro Morita saw his promise fulfilled with the recent takeoff of Japan's new solid-fuel rocket Epsilon, utilizing an innovative mobile launch control system.
Morita felt a rush of exhilaration on Sept. 14 while watching the launch on a computer screen at the control tower about 3 km from the launchpad.
Morita, 55, professor at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, took charge of development of the Epsilon, Japan's first new rocket in 12 years and one that incorporates artificial intelligence.