Japan Successfully Launches New H-3 Rocket
On February 17th, 2023, Japan's space 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. This successful launch marks a significant milestone for Japan's space program.
The H-3 rocket carried two satellites and a dummy payload to confirm the rocket's capabilities. The dummy payload will be released when the H-3 reaches its intended orbit at an altitude of 675 kilometers. This launch is particularly important as it comes after a failed attempt in March 2022 due to a malfunction in the second-stage engine. This time, the engine ignited as planned, demonstrating the success of the technical adjustments made since the previous attempt.
The H-3 is designed to replace the aging H-2A rocket, with only two more launches planned for the latter. JAXA, aiming to compete in the international launch market, designed the H-3 with both high capability and low cost in mind. The goal is to keep the cost of a single launch to around 5 billion yen ($33.3 million), which is about half the cost of the H-2A.
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 sending resupply missions to the International Space Station using the new HTV-X cargo spacecraft. The H-3 launch was originally scheduled for February 15th, but weather conditions forced a two-day delay.