Virus steals information about Japanese space rocket

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) today announced a computer virus that collected their latest rocket data and sent it out.

The rocket propels a Japanese spy satellite to space at Vu Center
Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan in December 2011. (Photo: AP)

JAXA officials said the virus in a computer at Tsukuba Space Center in the northeast of Tokyo secretly collected data about Epsilon - the type of solid-fuel boosters scientists are studying. save - and send data out of the center. Experts discovered the virus on November 21 and destroyed it. They confirmed only one virus infection, The New York Times reported.

JAXA does not know if the virus is a tool of an online attack. In the past, many information gathering viruses had infiltrated the computer systems of Japanese military military companies. Some viruses originated from China.

Epsilon missiles will push artificial satellites and spacecraft. It can also become a continental ballistic missile for military purposes. Japanese experts also apply a new technology to personal computers that can control Epsilon. As planned, the first Epsilon launch will take place in the fall of next year.