Re: M-5 unit



"largest solar telescope ever" plus "the highest resolution X-ray telescope ever flown in space" and a third instrument as well - all in a single ton of payload?

And "the Planet-C craft that is planned to orbit Venus - was moved from the M-5 to launch on the H-2A rocket in 2010" - but "The new two-stage launcher - scheduled for a first flight in 2010 - will use the M-5's third stage as a second stage to deliver approximately 1,100 pounds to low Earth orbit" - so they're launching a planetary probe on a rocket that can only deliver half a ton to LEO, nevermind escape velocity?

Is there a layman's explanation for how these things are possible? I thought stuff like that required at least an order of magnitude more payload; is it the traditional Japanese skill at miniaturization or what?

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