The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency aborted the launch of the first of its new flagship series H3 rockets yesterday, which was carrying an observation satellite also fitted with an experimental infrared sensor intended to detect missile launches.
The countdown had started. The agency’s livestream and television footage showed white smoke billowing from its main engine.
However, a pair of auxiliary rockets did not subsequently ignite, an announcement at the launch site said.
Photo: Reuters
Further details, including the reason for the suspension, were not immediately available. The agency was expected to provide an explanation later.
Yesterday’s launch problem at the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan is a setback for the country’s space program, which suffered a failed launch in October last year of an Epsilon-series rocket.
Yesterday’s launch was delayed from earlier in the week due to weather, after more than a two-year postponement from 2020 because of an engine development delay.
The rocket — Japan’s first new series in more than 22 years — carries an Advanced Land Observation Satellite primarily tasked with Earth observation and data collection for disaster response and map-making.
The H3 payload also includes an infrared sensor developed by the Japanese Ministry of Defense that can monitor military activity including missile launches.
The ￥200 billion (US$1.48 billion) H3 rocket was jointly developed by the agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as a successor to the H-2A rocket, which is due to retire after 20 years of service and its milestone 50th launch expected within the coming years.
The H3, which is about 60m long, can accommodate more satellites and other payloads than the earlier 53m H-2A model, with its launch cost slashed by half at about ￥50 million by simplifying the design, manufacturing and operation in a bid to be lure more customers for its space launch service.
Space launch business has been increasingly competitive, as the industry has been led by SpaceX and Arianespace.
The H3 rocket’s main engine was newly developed with fewer parts by altering the combustion method while replacing the majority of rocket components with existing auto parts.
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