Japan's H3 Rocket Launch Postponed Due to Weather
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the postponement of its planned H3 rocket launch, originally scheduled for this weekend, until Monday due to anticipated bad weather. The launch was initially set for Sunday but was moved to Saturday night to avoid a conflict with another launch. However, rain and thunder are predicted for Saturday night, prompting the agency to delay the launch further.
The H3 rocket will carry the Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS-4), tasked with Earth observation and data collection for disaster response, mapmaking, and military activity monitoring. The ALOS-4 is a successor to the current ALOS-2 and boasts a wider observation range. Japan plans to operate both satellites simultaneously for the time being.
This launch marks the H3's third attempt, following a successful launch in February 2023 and a shocking failed debut flight a year earlier. The failed launch resulted in the destruction of the rocket and its payload, the intended ALOS-3 satellite.
Japan views a stable and commercially competitive space transport capability as crucial for its space program and national security. JAXA and its primary contractor, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), have been developing the H3 as a successor to the current H-2A rocket, which is nearing retirement. MHI aims to eventually take over H3 production and launches from JAXA, hoping to make it commercially viable by significantly reducing launch costs.