Japan has launched the latest H3 heavy class launch vehicle

The launch of the newest Japanese heavy-class H3 launch vehicle, which was carried out on Tuesday from the Tanegashima cosmodrome in Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan, was successful. This was reported by representatives of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) during a live broadcast.

It is expected that the launch vehicle will put into orbit the Japanese satellite ALOS-3, designed to monitor natural disasters.

On February 17, the first launch of H3 ended in failure — the rocket could not get off the ground. Initially, the launch was planned to take place in 2020, but it had to be postponed due to the detection of vibrations in the main engine of the rocket. In January, JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Corporation (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), which was developing the rocket, conducted a series of engine tests on the launch pad. Their results were recognized as successful, no problems were identified. Subsequently, the launch was repeatedly postponed due to unsuitable weather conditions.

H3 is Japan's largest liquid—fueled launch vehicle. Its length is 63 m, diameter — 5.2 m, load capacity — from 4 to 6.5 tons. At the same time, the length and weight of the first stage may vary due to different types of engine and the presence of accelerators. The H3 is to replace the H-2A launch vehicle, which has been in operation since the early 2000s. This is one of the most reliable rockets in the world: 44 out of 45 launches were completed successfully.

Earlier, JAXA predicted that H3 would almost halve the cost of rocket launches, thereby increasing Tokyo's competitiveness in the international market of commercial satellite launches. 3D printers were used to create some parts of the new launch vehicle, which reduced the cost of its production. Currently, one launch of the H-2A costs Japan 10 billion yen ($74.5 million at the current exchange rate), which is much more expensive than other world analogues. In addition, H3, in comparison with H-2A, should increase the mass of cargo delivered to orbit by 30%, which can also increase its attractiveness to potential customers.