The H3 Rocket Fails Again

Akihabara News (Tokyo) — The H3 rocket, built to become a mainstay of Japan’s space program, met a disastrous end as it attempted its first launch this week.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which have collaborated on this crucial program, hit the self-destruct for the rocket after about seven minutes after it launched. The reason was that the second stage rocket had failed to fire.

This mishap extends a series of disappoints regarding this vehicle. Its launch was already about two years behind schedule, and last month it also failed to operate properly due to an electronics failure, leaving it sitting on the launch pad.

The H3 was carrying the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-3 (ALOS-3) when it was ordered to self-destruct.

This satellite was intended to become one of Japan’s key tools for disaster management and countermeasures for both the central and local governments. Its loss potentially sets back efforts to grasp the damage situation on the ground in the wake of disasters.

Additionally, the Ministry of Defense had an infrared sensor installed within the ALOS-3 which was being developed to detect military missile launches.

The H3 rocket has been designed to be about half the price, more powerful, and safer than its predecessor, the HIIA rocket–a model which has been scheduled to be phased out next year.

JAXA has been having a bad run in recent months. Last October, it ordered a smaller Epsilon-6 rocket to self-destruct after launch when it deviated from its planned trajectory.

Japan has placed great hopes in the H3 rocket amidst intense competition in the international space industry, especially with the rise of private companies like SpaceX joining the space race.

Among other missions, in the future the H3 is meant to transport large cargo capsules to the International Space Station.

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