Economy & Tech

New H3 Rocket Puts Advanced Satellite into Orbit

On July 1, the Japanese space agency deployed an earth observation satellite into space in the second successful launch of its flagship H3 rocket.

Published

2 days ago

July 1, 2024

The Sankei Shimbun

H3 rocket no.3 lifts off from Tanegashima Space Center at 12:06 pm on July 1 (JST). (©Sankei by Juichiro Ito)

Japan's flagship H3 rocket was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center at 12:06 pm on Monday, July 1 (JST). Approximately 16 minutes after liftoff, it successfully put the country's radar satellite DAICHI-4 into orbit. This was the first successful deployment of a large-scale satellite by the H3 rocket, marking a significant advancement in Japan's space industry.

The H3 rocket aims to reduce launch costs and assembly time to about half that of its predecessor H-IIA, Japan's current mainstay rocket. The H-IIA is due to retire by the end of fiscal 2024.

Members of the H3 project from JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries applaud after the DAIICHI-4 satellite successfully separated from the H3 rocket. Tanegashima Space Center, Kagoshima Prefecture, July 1. (©Kyodo)

Testing Phase

In March 2023, the first H3 rocket launch ended in failure when its second stage did not ignite. It was Japan's first launch in 30 years of a newly developed liquid-propellant rocket. This resulted in the loss of the satellite DAICHI-3.

The cause was identified as damage to the vehicle control device due to a short circuit and overcurrent, and countermeasures were implemented. A second H3 rocket was successfully launched in February 2024, concluding the testing phase for the H3.

*Japan's H3 rocket No. 3 lifts off carrying an Earth observation satellite from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, July 1. (©Kyodo/via REUTERS)*

Preparing for Launch

On the night of June 30, the latest H3 rocket was moved from the large rocket assembly building at the Tanegashima Space Center to the launch site. At 8:30 pm (JST), it began its slow journey on the mobile launch pad, covering a distance of around 400 meters (0.25 miles) in about 30 minutes. There, final preparations, including fueling and electrical system checks, were completed for the launch.

Makoto Arita, the H3 project manager at JAXA, expressed his determination in a pre-launch press conference. He stated, "This is an important step toward the full-scale practical use of the H3 rocket. We have thoroughly prepared and now aim for continuous success."

A representative from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which coordinated the rocket's overall design, added, "This mission is crucial for the transition to the practical phase of satellite launches. We aim to complete it carefully and successfully deliver DAICHI-4 into space."