An H-2A rocket launches from Tanegashima space center in Japan (file photo).

Japan intends to launch the Venus Climate Orbiter, a solar sail demonstrator, and four smaller payloads May 18 aboard an H-2A rocket lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center off the southern tip of Japan, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and rocket builder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced March 3.

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