China News Service, March 7th reported that on the morning of the 7th, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries launched the No. 1 unit of the new main rocket H3, but because the second-stage engine failed to ignite, the launch Declare failure.
The rocket was originally planned to send the earth observation satellite "Daichi-3" used to grasp the disaster situation from the Tanegashima Space Center into the predetermined orbit.
The previous launch on February 17 was interrupted due to equipment failure just before the launch. This time it is another launch attempt.
JAXA sent a "self-destruct command" to Unit 1 of H3 on the grounds that it was not expected to complete the mission.
Image source: Screenshot of Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK) report
According to reports, the H3 is the follow-up model of the H2A rocket that debuted in 2001.
Its satellite launch capacity is 1.3 times that of the previous one, and the cost is reduced by half, which is about 5 billion yen (about 260 million yuan).
Japan's Kansai TV once pointed out in a program that the development of the H3 rocket "will influence Japan's space strategy", so the Japanese government places high hopes on it.
It is reported that the H3 rocket is developed to replace the previous generation H2A rocket and help Japan gain a place in the global satellite launch market.
According to the original plan of the Japanese government, the H3 rocket was supposed to be launched within 2020, but it was redesigned due to the detection of a fault in the newly developed LE9 main engine.
Later, due to the failure of the launch of the solid-fuel rocket "Epsilon" No. 6 in 2022, the H3 rocket replaced relevant parts, which caused the launch time to be pushed back and forth.
However, the final debut on February 17 was also unsuccessful.
The rocket was originally scheduled to launch at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture that morning, but a lot of white smoke came out of the launch pad after ignition, and the rocket fuselage failed to take off.
"I know that many people have been waiting and looking forward to this day. I am sorry, and I am very sorry and frustrated myself." At that time, JAXA project manager Okada Yaji said at the press conference, wiping away tears.
Japan’s Kyodo News previously reported that Japan plans to participate in the next-generation space development projects such as the US-led lunar exploration program and expand satellite launch commercial activities. The failure of the new rocket that plays a central role will deal a blow to Japan’s space strategy.