"Japan has set a new spaceflight record -- and unlike most of these feats, it's
defined by what wasn't involved. The country's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
has successfully launched the smallest-ever rocket to carry a satellite into
orbit, a modest SS-520 sounding rocket modified with a third stage inside its nose
cone to get its payload into orbit. As you might guess, the key to the record was
the tiny cargo -- the rocket was carrying TRICOM-1R, a three-unit cubesat
measuring just 13.6 inches long. You don't need a giant vehicle when the mission
hardware would fit in the backseat of your car."

See:

https://www.engadget.com/2018/02/03/...te-into-orbit/