Reuters reporting – Japan celebrated a significant milestone in its space exploration endeavors with the successful launch of its new H3 flagship rocket, rejuvenating its space program following a series of setbacks, including the failure of the rocket’s inaugural flight last year.
This achievement comes shortly after the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s lunar lander, SLIM, accomplished a precise landing on the moon, positioning Japan as only the fifth country to achieve such a feat. The H3 rocket’s launch not only signifies a recovery from past misfortunes but also represents Japan’s ambition to enhance its space program amidst global competition and its strategic partnership with the United States to counter China’s growing influence in space.
The H3 rocket, which took off from the Tanegashima Space Center, successfully deployed a small satellite along with a microsatellite and a dummy satellite, marking a triumphant moment for the JAXA team and signifying the beginning of a new chapter in Japan’s space exploration efforts.
Masashi Okada, the JAXA project manager who has been at the helm of the H3’s development for a decade, expressed the urgency to commence preparations for the rocket’s third launch. The H3 is set to replace the older H-IIA model, which is nearing retirement after two more planned launches, underscoring the critical need for the H3’s success to maintain Japan’s autonomous access to space following the previous setbacks, including the failure of the Epsilon rocket launch and the H-IIA’s second-stage engine ignition failure.
Looking ahead, JAXA and its primary contractor, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, aim to capitalize on the H3 rocket’s success by targeting global launch orders, leveraging the rocket’s design to carry a 6.5 metric ton payload and the goal to halve the launch costs through simplified structures and automotive-grade electronics.
The ambitious plan includes launching approximately 20 satellites and probes by 2030 for domestic purposes, as well as contributing to international missions like the Japan-India LUPEX project and the U.S.-led Artemis moon exploration program. The successful launch of the H3 rocket not only marks a pivotal recovery for Japan’s space program but also sets the stage for Japan to assert a more competitive stance in the burgeoning global satellite launch market.
