Japan successfully launches the next-generation H3 rocket

Japan successfully launched its new flagship rocket, the H3, on Saturday, putting its satellite program back into orbit after several setbacks, including the failure of the rocket’s maiden flight last year.

The launch marks the second consecutive victory for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), after the Lunar Module SLIM achieved a “pinpoint” landing last month.

Although Japan is a relatively small player in the space field based on the number of launches, it is working with the United States to revive its space program to counter China.

JAXA said in a live broadcast of scientists at the Tanegashima Space Center clapping and talking that H3 was “successfully launched” at 9:22 a.m. Tokyo time (0:22 GMT). It was announced that the engine was operating normally and things were going well. And we hugged each other in southern Japan.

All payloads (two microsatellites and one dummy satellite) were successfully released, authorities later announced.

The H3 replaces the 20-year-old H-IIA. JAXA and prime contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011.T) hope lower costs and increased payload capacity will help win launch orders from customers around the world.

“This is really good. It`s taken some time for the program to get to this point but with this launch they will be fielding inquiries from around the world,” said Professor of Tokyo University of Science. .

H3’s first flight in March ended when ground control destroyed the rocket 14 minutes after liftoff because the second stage engine failed to ignite. In a report published in October, JAXA listed three possibilities for electrical failure, but could not pinpoint the direct cause.

The 63-meter (297-foot) H3 carries a 6.5-ton payload into space and uses a simpler structure and automotive-grade electronics, reducing the cost per launch to up to 5 billion yen ($33 million). It is expected to be reduced to In contrast, H-IIA costs approximately 10 billion yen per launch.

The government plans to launch about 20 artificial satellites and probes using H3 rockets by 2030. H3 will be delivered as a lunar probe to the Japan-India joint LUPEX project in 2025, and is expected to be delivered as a cargo spacecraft to the U.S.-led Artemis lunar exploration program in the future.

Demand for satellite launches is surging thanks to the advent of affordable commercial vehicles like SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9, and many new rockets are being tested this year.

Last month, United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing (BA.N) and Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), successfully completed the first flight of its Vulcan rocket. The European Space Agency also plans to launch the cheaper Ariane 6. for the first time this year.