Japan’s struggling flagship H3 rocket returns to flight with the debut of a low-cost variant
The mission used a new 30 configuration with triple LE-9 engines and no boosters, and six small satellites were believed to separate successfully.
- Japan's H3 rocket launched Friday from Tanegashima Space Center, successfully debuting the "30 configuration." variant with its second stage reaching targeted orbit, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency confirmed.
- This flight follows two previous failures—a March 2023 engine ignition issue and a December navigation satellite launch failure—making success crucial for Japan's flagship rocket replacing the H-2A.
- Equipped with triple liquid-fuel LE-9 engines and no boosters to reduce costs, the new "30 configuration." carried six small satellites developed by universities that JAXA reported successfully separated.
- JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries aim to make the H3 more cost-effective to compete with Elon Musk's SpaceX, as Japan views this stable transport capability as essential for national security.
- Developers hope to eventually launch the H3 six to eight times annually, while the program remains vital for Japanese space projects including a 2028 Mars mission despite Epsilon series delays.
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42 Articles
Japan successfully launched this Friday a low-cost version of its flagship H3 rocket, with a simpler configuration and no solid fuel propellants, carrying verification components and six small satellites. The launch, postponed for two days due to weather issues, took place at 09:53 local time (00:53 GMT) from the Tanegashima Space Center, at the
Malay Mail
Japan’s flagship H3 rocket lifts off smoothly, six satellites deployed as space agency celebrates success
TOKYO, June 12 — Japan’s space agency successfully launched its flagship H3 rocket on Friday, months after a previous mission to put a geolocation satellite into orbit ended in failure.The H3 was developed to boost the international competitiveness of the country’s rocket industry, with the lift-off an important sign of progress as the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) aims to improve its launch success rate.The agency is targeting up to…
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