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Japan successfully launched the world’s tiniest satellite-carrying rocket into orbit. 

The SS-520-5 made history as it carried TRICOM-1R, a three-unit CubeSat, measuring 13.6 inches. The vehicle was modified with a third stage, which helped the rocket bring the satellite into orbit. 

The rocket was launched by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), just a year after the failed rocket launch in the Uchinoura Space Center. The previous rocket was 9.5-meters long, carrying a 13-inch micro-satellite weighing 3 kilograms. JAXA decided against the ignition of the second stage after the communication systems malfunctioned 20 seconds after takeoff. 

With the success of the launch, it boasts of Japan’s technology, as well as proves that small companies can now have a cheaper and faster way to get to orbit. 

Tags: Japan, launched, world's, tiniest, satellite-carrying, rocket, orbit, SS-520-5, TRICOM-1R, JAXA, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, Space