Japan's Space Agency Announces Major Upgrade to Satellite Imaging System
Japan's space agency, JAXA, has announced a plan to launch a major upgrade to its satellite imaging system. This upgrade will be carried out by a new flagship rocket, the H3, which is scheduled for its third launch on June 30th, 2024.
The H3 rocket will carry the Advanced Land Observation Satellite, ALOS-4, which will be primarily tasked with Earth observation and data collection for disaster response and mapmaking. Additionally, ALOS-4 will be equipped with an infrared sensor developed by the Defense Ministry to monitor military activity, such as missile launches. This advanced satellite is a successor to the current ALOS-2 and boasts the ability to observe a much wider area.
This launch marks the H3's third attempt after a failed debut in March 2023 and a successful launch on February 17th, 2024. During the first attempt, the rocket's second stage engine failed to ignite, resulting in the destruction of the rocket and its main payload, the ALOS-3 satellite. The successful second launch carried two commercially-developed observation microsatellites and an ALOS mockup.
JAXA and its main contractor, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), have been developing the H3 as a successor to the current H-2A rocket, which is set to retire after two more flights. MHI plans to eventually take over H3 production and launches from JAXA and hopes to make it commercially viable.
Japan views a stable and commercially competitive space transport capability as crucial to its space program and national security. The H3 rocket, with its ability to carry larger payloads than the H-2A at a lower cost, is a significant step towards achieving this goal.