Japan’s space agency, JAXA, celebrated a significant milestone on Saturday with the successful launch of its new flagship rocket, the H3. After years of delays and two previous failed attempts, the third launch proved to be the charm for the H3 rocket.
The H3, hailed as flexible and cost-effective by JAXA, lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan at 9:22 am (0022 GMT) and was declared to have been successfully put into orbit. This next-generation rocket is positioned as a potential competitor to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and holds the promise of delivering cargo to Moon bases in the future.
The successful launch comes on the heels of Japan’s recent achievement of landing an unmanned probe on the Moon, making it the fifth country to accomplish this feat, albeit at a skewed angle.
Cheers and applause erupted at the JAXA control center as the livestream announced the successful ignition of the H3 engines, signifying that the rocket had reached orbit. Developed jointly by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the H3 is the successor to the H-IIA launch system and is designed for high flexibility, reliability, and cost performance. It aims to ensure Japan’s autonomous access to space.
The journey to success wasn’t without hurdles, as the first H3 launch in February 2023 was aborted due to ignition issues, and the second attempt in March last year faced technical problems, leading to a destruct command shortly after liftoff. However, subsequent improvements were made to the ignition system, leading to Saturday’s successful launch.
The H3 carried two microsatellites, one of which is expected to aid in disaster prevention by capturing photos and videos, while the other, equipped with an infrared sensor, will monitor factory operations on the ground.
The successful separation of the microsatellites was confirmed, marking another milestone in the mission’s success. Associate professor Alice Gorman, a space exploration expert at Flinders University, praised the H3 as an all-rounder capable of launching satellites, servicing space stations, and venturing to the Moon.
The triumph of the H3 launch underscores Japan’s prowess in space exploration, despite past setbacks. With future ambitions for space exploration, Japan aims to remain competitive with access to powerful launch vehicles like the H3, paving the way for more affordable and efficient exploration of the solar system.
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