The first launch of "H3", which was newly developed as a large Japanese rocket for the first time in about 30 years, will be launched at 10:37 am on the 17th at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Newly developed domestic large rocket for the first time in about 30 years
"H3" is the successor to the current main rocket "H2A", and is being developed by JAXA = Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, spending more than 200 billion yen.
The rocket has already been moved to the launch site and preparations for launch are underway.
The maximum length of "H3" is about 63 meters.
It is the first new development of a Japanese large rocket in about 30 years, and we started development nine years ago with a plan to increase the weight that can be carried into space by about 1.3 times that of the "H2A" and reduce the launch cost to about half of the current level. bottom.
The first launch was originally scheduled for 2020, but the development of a new main engine ran into difficulties, and after two delays spanning the fiscal year, the launch was finally completed.
"H3" aims to compete overseas in the rocket launch business, where competition is intensifying, and is also used in the "Artemis Project", which explores the moon as a foothold for mankind's advance into space, such as the United States. It is scheduled to be launched, and attention will be paid to whether it will show a smooth start as a new domestically produced main rocket.
The first model uses a short type "fairing" that covers the artificial satellite, so the total length is about 57 meters. is installed.
The first "H3" is scheduled to be launched from the Tanegashima Space Center at 10:37 am after this.