The H3 rocket, Japan’s main spacecraft, has achieved a successful orbit after its initial launch was unsuccessful.
The H3 rocket of Japan successfully entered orbit and deployed two observation satellites in its second test, providing optimism for the country in the international competition of space exploration after a failed initial launch in the previous year.
The H3 rocket successfully launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on Saturday morning, following a two-day delay due to inclement weather.
According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the rocket achieved a successful orbit at approximately 420 miles above ground and deployed two satellites.
Yang Guang/Xinhua via Getty Images
Hiroshi Yamakawa, President of JAXA, expressed relief during a press conference as they announced positive results.
Last month, an unmanned spacecraft achieved a historic and precise touchdown on the moon.
The launch was closely observed as a trial for Japan’s space advancement following the unsuccessful ignition of the second-stage engine during H3’s first flight in March. JAXA and its primary partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have been working on H3 as a replacement for their current main rocket, H-2A, which will be retired after two additional launches.
As the rocket completed its ascent and effectively deployed its initial cargo, team members at the JAXA command center rejoiced and embraced one another in real-time video. NHK television captured emotional scenes of some employees at a media center shedding tears of relief and happiness.
The project manager of JAXA’s H3, Masashi Okada, deemed the outcome as flawless, stating that H3 successfully completed all tasks assigned for Saturday’s launch. “After a considerable delay, the recently born H3 finally made its inaugural launch.”
Okada expressed relief that the weight has been lifted off his shoulders, but acknowledges that this is just the beginning for H3 and their team will continue to strive for improvement.
The H3 No. 2 rocket was adorned with numerous stickers displaying messages from supporters across the nation.
Two small satellites, known as microsatellites, were launched on the H3 rocket on Saturday. One was the CE-SAT-IE, created by Canon Electronics, and the other was TIRSAT, a joint project by multiple companies and universities. The companies behind these satellites took a risk because they believe there is a growing demand for satellite technology.
The H3, measuring 187 feet in length, is intended to transport larger loads and do so at a significantly lower cost of approximately 50 billion yen ($330 million) in order to be competitive on a global scale.
The head of defense and space segment at Mitsubishi Heavy, Masayuki Eguchi, stated that their company aims to improve their price competitiveness with approximately twelve additional launches.
“I am pleased to witness this remarkable achievement in the field of space exploration, following the successful SLIM moon landing,” stated Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on X, previously known as Twitter. “I have high hopes for the continued progress of Japan’s primary rocket.”
In the previous month, a H-2A rocket effectively launched a spy satellite into its intended orbit. A few days afterward, JAXA’s unmanned spacecraft SLIM achieved the first-ever precise landing on the moon and collected data on its surface.
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Source: cbsnews.com