Japan’s space agency has successfully launched a second test model of its new flagship rocket H3, in a welcome boost to its space program after last year’s first flight failed.
The launch further burns the country’s space credentials after the historic “pinpoint” moon landing of Japan’s Smart spacecraft last month.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) and prime contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries designed the H3 to replace the two-decade-old H-IIA, hoping its lower cost and greater payload capacity would help them win launch orders from global customers.
The H3 had a “successful liftoff” at 09:22 Tokyo time (0022 GMT) on Saturday and was “on track” with its engines working properly, Jaxa said in a live broadcast that showed scientists interacting at Tanegashima clapped and hugged. Space Centre.
The rocket has released one microsatellite, is going to release another, and then about two hours after liftoff will release a dummy satellite.
The H3’s first flight in March ended with ground control destroying the rocket 14 minutes after liftoff because its second-stage engine failed to ignite. Jaxa listed three possible electrical faults in a review released in October, but was unable to identify the direct cause. The failure caused widespread delays in the country’s satellite and planetary exploration plans.
Jaxa will host a press conference later on Saturday.
The 63 meter (297 ft) H3 is designed to carry a 6.5 metric ton payload into space and reduce the cost per launch to as low as 5 billion yen ($33m) by adopting simpler structures and automotive-grade electronics to take. By comparison, the H-IIA costs about 10 billion yen per launch.
The government plans to launch about 20 satellites and probes with H3 rockets by 2030. The H3 is scheduled to deliver a lunar probe for the joint Japan-India Lupex project in 2025, as well as cargo spacecraft for the US-led Artemis lunar exploration program in the future.
Demand for satellite launches has soared thanks to the rise of affordable commercial vehicles like SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9, and a number of new rockets are being tested this year.
Last month saw the successful first flight of the United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The European Space Agency also plans to launch its lower-cost Ariane 6 for the first time this year.
