Japan’s space agency on Feb. 17 succeeded in launching its next-generation H3 rocket, providing a much-needed boost to the nation’s satellite-launching and space exploration ambitions after the failure of its first model nearly a year ago.
The H3 liquid fuel rocket, developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 9:22 a.m.
The H3 was carrying a 2.6-ton dummy satellite called VEP-4, weighing about the same as Earth observation satellite Daichi-3, to help test the rocket’s flight performance. Daichi-3 was lost during the failed launch of the first unit in March last year.
The rocket, which was flown as a test, was also carrying two small satellites as piggyback payloads.
The development of the H3 as Japan’s flagship rocket began 10 years ago to replace the H-IIA, which has been in operation since 2001. To increase launch frequencies and win orders not only from the government but also commercial users at home and abroad, JAXA hopes to reduce the H3’s cost to around \5 billion per vehicle – half the cost of the H-IIA – by employing civilian-use and 3D-printed parts. (The Japan Times)
毎週届く！
