Japan launches lunar lander and X-ray telescope to explore origins of universe

In co-operation with Nasa, Jaxa will look at the strength of light at different wavelengths, the temperature of things in space, and their shapes and brightness

Japan has launched a rocket carrying an X-ray telescope that will explore the origins of the universe as well as a small lunar lander (Kyodo News/AP)

Japan has launched a rocket carrying an X-ray telescope that will explore the origins of the universe as well as a small lunar lander.

The launch of the HII-A rocket from Tanegashima Space Centre in Kagoshima on Thursday was shown on live video by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, known as Jaxa.