Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Announces Second Attempt to Launch H3 Rocket No. 2 from Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture

Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, where the postponement of the launch of H3 rocket No. 2 was announced. On the afternoon of the 13th, in Minamitane-cho, the same prefecture.

TOKYO (Reuters) – On the 17th, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will try again to launch its new flagship rocket, “H3,” which will be the successor to “H2A.” Unit 1 failed in March last year when the second stage engine failed to ignite. JAXA successfully landed a lunar probe last month, but as major countries compete in the space exploration business, it needs to deliver results by launching its most important means of transportation.

The second spacecraft is scheduled to launch from Tanegashima Space Center (Kagoshima Prefecture) between 9:22 a.m. and 1:06 p.m. on the 17th. The event was originally scheduled for the 15th, but was postponed to the 17th due to bad weather. The preliminary period ends on March 31st.

JAXA spent about seven months investigating the cause of the failure and came to the conclusion that there could be no other cause for the failure than the three scenarios, and took countermeasures for all of the scenarios, including improving the ignition system of the second stage engine. In order to carry out early flight demonstrations, the second aircraft was designed to have the same configuration as the first, and the flight path to orbit was also the same as the first.

At a press conference on the 13th, JAXA project manager Tadashi Okada said, “Overcoming failures, especially the first half, was extremely difficult,” and said, “We want to make up for what we lost with Unit 1 as quickly as possible with Unit 2.” With this in mind, I have accelerated my efforts and worked hard.” He said, “We’ve taken satisfactory measures. We’re getting a response, but things aren’t 100%, so we’ll proceed with caution until the end.”

The second satellite was originally supposed to carry the Earth observation satellite “Daichi 4,” but the plan was changed after the first was destroyed under orders and “Daichi 3” was lost. We decided to mount a structure with the same mass characteristics as Daichi-3 and confirm its satellite separation performance. Daichi-3 was scheduled to observe the Earth’s surface from space and use it to quickly assess the situation in the event of a disaster.

Kazuto Suzuki, a professor at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy who is an expert on space policy, says the success of H3 is extremely important, saying, “No matter how good the satellites and probes are, they are meaningless if they cannot be launched with a rocket.” He says, “If the second launch also fails, there is a possibility that there will be various obstacles to international cooperation.”

Although the second satellite will not carry Daichi-4, it will carry two microsatellites. One is a satellite developed by Canon Electronics (7739.T), opens new tab. The group’s optical and image processing technologies will be used to capture images and videos to observe the earth’s surface with high sensitivity. The other satellite is a satellite created by the Japan Space Systems Development and Utilization Promotion Agency, which uses technologies such as textile manufacturer Seiren (3569.T), opens new tab. As the risk of supply chain disruption has become apparent due to the coronavirus pandemic, thermal infrared sensors will be used to detect heat sources in factories and estimate operating status.

H3 has been jointly developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011.T), opens new tab since 2014. The company has invested more than 200 billion yen to transport the nation’s satellites into space for observation during disasters, collect weather information, and conduct reconnaissance, as well as to win orders to meet the growing demand for commercial satellite launches around the world.

The key feature is the low launch cost, which is expected to be about 5 billion yen, half the price of H2A under certain conditions. It is also scheduled to transport supplies for the U.S.-led lunar exploration program Artemis.

The launch of the first aircraft was originally scheduled for fiscal 2020, but development of the main engine ran into difficulties, resulting in repeated postponements and the development plan being revised. According to the government’s basic space plan, H3 is supposed to transport about 20 Japanese government satellites by fiscal 2030, but there are significant delays.

Mr. Okada pointed out, “The H3 started 10 years ago with the concept of being an internationally competitive rocket, and the world and circumstances have changed significantly over the past 10 years.” He says, “We must continue to carry out various activities that will help us fit into this market.”

(Maki Shiraki, Kantaro Komiya Editing: Nobuhiro Kubo)

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Kantaro writes about everything from Japan’s economic indicators to North Korea’s missiles to global regulation on AI companies. His previous stories have been published in the Associated Press, Bloomberg, the Japan Times and Rest of World. A Tokyo native, Kantaro graduated from DePauw University in the United States and was the recipient of the Overseas Press Club Foundation 2020 Scholar Award.

2024-02-15 08:09:00
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