Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's launch of its No. 8 H3 rocket on Monday (December 22) was unsuccessful, failing to send the Michibiki No. 5 positioning satellite into the intended orbit.

Billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit said a crucial test of its two-stage, orbital rocket system, designed to rival that of Elon Musk's SpaceX for satellite launches, ended the mission shortly after releasing the rocket from the plane.