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Technology February 19, 2024
On the morning of February 17, the Japan Aerospace Agency (JAXA) successfully launched its new H3 rocket from the base on Tanegashima Island in the southwest of the country.
The two microsatellites carried by the launch vehicle were successfully placed into orbit.
“The rocket was on course as planned,” said JAXA President Yamakawa Hiroshi with relief.
Two attempts failed in February and March last year. The first time the launch of the rocket could not be carried out due to a problem with the ignition of its propellers, then a month later the machine was able to launch, but its trajectory was deviated due to the second stage engines not working properly.
A successor to Japan's H-2A and H-2B missiles, the H3 is designed to be more economical because it uses commercially available products rather than aerospace-only components, according to JAXA.
JAXA plans to use the H3 to launch government and commercial missions approximately six times per year over the next two decades.
The emotions of JAXA members after the successful launch of the H3 rocket
JAXA President Yamakawa Hiroshi
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
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