On February 17th, Japan's space agency successfully launched its new H-3 flagship rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center. The rocket carried two satellites and a dummy payload to test its capabilities. The launch marked a significant milestone for Japan's space program.
The H-3 rocket is designed to replace the aging H-2A rocket. It was developed jointly by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. JAXA aimed to create a rocket with high capabilities at a low cost, targeting a launch cost of around 5 billion yen ($33.3 million).
The successful launch of the H-3 rocket clears a major hurdle for JAXA. The rocket is expected to play a crucial role in Japan's future space missions, including the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission and resupply missions to the International Space Station using the new HTV-X cargo spacecraft.