The H3 rocket—11 years in the making — is set for its second launch , follow a flubbed debut in March 2023 . Japan urgently needs the rocket to win , with a second failure risking further delays and massive headaches for Japan ’s space programme .
H3 is ready to wing again after its bungled maiden launch last year , with Japan ’s Aerospace Exploration Agency ( JAXA)targetingWednesday , February 14 at 7:22 p.m. ET ( Thursday , February 15 at 9:22 a.m. JST ) . The two - stage rocket , assisted by two side booster rocket , will pillory off from Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center with a dummy payload and two small satellite on board .
The liquid - fuel H3 rocket flew for just 15 proceedings on March 6 , 2023 , before commission accountant wereforced to write out the awful ego - destruct command . The first stage function like a charm , but the same could not be said for the 2d stage , which fail to climb down due to an electrical glitch . This come as a large surprise to the distance federal agency ; unlike the H3 ’s first stage , which sport new , more advanced engineering and invention , the second point relies on proven , set up technologies that had been used in former Nipponese skyrocket , like the H-2 serial .
Conceptual view of H3.Image: JAXA
The failed launch from last year resulted in the loss of the $ 200 million ALOS-3 advanced Earth - observing satellite . JAXA took a luck of heat for including such an expensive satelliteon an initiative missionary work . Not uncoerced to repeat the same mistake twice , the space agency has placed a dummy freight inside the fairing ( to emulate the mass of an actual payload ) , alongside a 154 - pound ( 70 - kg ) observation satellite build by Canon Electronics and a nanosatellite belonging to Japan Space Systems .
The H3 unsuccessful person also threw a serious wrench into Japan ’s space plan , affecting its influence in the global outer space industriousness . In ontogenesis since 2013 , the 207 - foot ( 63 - measure ) H3 rocket is put to become JAXA ’s premier rocket , take for a launch charge per unit of two per twelvemonth over the next two decades . This roquette , succeeding Japan ’s H2 - A , offer a sleek first stage , increase payload capacity , reduce complexity with fewer parting , and neat adaptability . With an forecast launching cost of $ 38 million , the H3 should be an attractive pick for both governmental and commercial customers . Potential future enhancements could allow it to make loading deliveries to the International Space Station and the planned Gateway space post in lunar compass .
The implications of the failed inaugural mission extended beyond the loss of ALOS-3 . It raised concerns about wait in other essential missions , include those involve outside coaction . For example , theMartian Moons Exploration delegacy , originally scheduled for launching aboard H3 in August 2024 , has beendelayed to November 2026 . on-going H3 delays are affecting scientific missions ( include Japan ’s ALOS-4 ) , but also Japan ’s commercial-grade satellite launching contract and its role in international space exploration effort , such as NASA ’s Artemis programme .
gratuitous to say , a fail second launch would be bivalent - plus - ungood . Fingers crossed that the next attempt will succeed .
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