## Japan Successfully Launches New H-3 Rocket
On February 17th, 2023, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched its new flagship rocket, the H-3. The launch took place at 9:22 a.m. from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The H-3 carried two satellites and a dummy payload to confirm the rocket's capabilities. The second-stage engine, which malfunctioned in the previous launch attempt in March 2022, ignited as planned this time.
The H-3 is designed to replace the aging H-2A rocket, with only two more launches planned for the latter. JAXA developed the H-3 in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. with the goal of creating a high-performance yet cost-effective rocket. The aim is to keep the launch cost around 5 billion yen ($33.3 million), roughly half the cost of an H-2A launch.
With this successful launch, the H-3 has a busy schedule ahead. It will be used for JAXA's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission and for resupplying the International Space Station with the new HTV-X cargo spacecraft.
The launch of the H-3 Launch Vehicle No. 2 was originally scheduled for February 15th, but weather conditions forced a two-day delay.