japan Concludes H2A Rocket Program with Successful Final Launch

Tanegashima Island, Japan – Japan’s 50th and final H2A liquid-fuel rocket soared into the skies from a southwestern Japan island on Sunday, marking the end of a 24-year era supporting the nation’s space exploration efforts. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed the successful launch, which placed a crucial climate-monitoring satellite into orbit.

Final H2A Mission Deployed Climate Monitoring Satellite

The last H2A rocket, a collaborative effort between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and JAXA, lifted off from Tanegashima island in Kagoshima Prefecture at 1:33 a.m. local time. Its primary mission was to deploy a government satellite designed to observe greenhouse gas concentrations and monitor ongoing climate change. JAXA confirmed that the satellite successfully detached from the rocket at an altitude of approximately 670 kilometers near the equator and has deployed its solar panels for operation.

Did You Know? The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere reached a record high of 419 parts per million in 2023, according to the World Meteorological Organization [https://public.wmo.int/en]. Satellites like the one deployed by the H2A play a crucial role in monitoring these trends.

Keiji Suzuki, a mitsubishi Heavy official overseeing the rocket launch, expressed immense relief and pride, stating, “I was more nervous than ever about the launch and feel like I’m still dreaming. We achieved our long-cherished goal of a 98 percent success rate.”

A Japanese H2A rocket,carrying a satellite for greenhouse gas and water cycle observation,is launched from the tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture,southwestern Japan,in the early hours of June 29,2025. (Kyodo)

H2A Rocket’s Legacy and the Transition to H3

As 2001,the H2A series has been instrumental in Japan’s space program,launching satellites and probes that have significantly enhanced the contry’s aerospace capabilities. The H2A’s reliability grew steadily over its operational life, although it faced challenges, including a failed launch in 2003 due to a faulty booster. The program recovered, demonstrating resilience and commitment to improvement.

The H2A is now succeeded by the H3 rocket, also developed by Mitsubishi Heavy and JAXA. The H3 aims to provide more cost-effective launch services, increasing Japan’s competitiveness in the global satellite launch market. While the H3’s initial launch in March 2023 ended in a self-destruct order, subsequent launches, including one in February 2025, have been successful.

Pro Tip: The satellite launch market is projected to reach $37.59 billion by 2029