Japan Aborts Launch Of New H3 Rocket Carrying Missile Sensor

TOKYO, Japan (AP) — According to officials, the launch of Japan’s next-generation H3 rocket was aborted on Friday after the auxiliary booster engines failed to ignite.

According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, the rocket’s main engine, which was carrying an observation satellite and an experimental sensor to detect missile launches, had already ignited when the launch was aborted.

“I know many people were looking forward to and anticipating this day. I’m truly sorry. “We, too, are deeply regretful and frustrated,” JAXA project manager Masashi Okada said at a press conference, wiping away tears.

Okada called it an aborted launch, not a failure because it was halted due to properly functioning safety features.

Nonetheless, the failed launch at the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan was a setback for Japan’s space program, which had previously failed to launch a smaller Epsilon-series sold-fueled rocket designed to launch scientific satellites in October.

Launch Of The Rocket Delayed

The H3 launch had been delayed earlier in the week due to bad weather, following a two-year delay from 2020 due to an engine development delay.

The H3 rocket, Japan’s first new series in more than 22 years, was developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at the cost of 200 billion yen ($1.5 billion) as a successor to Japan’s H-2A rocket, which is set to retire after its 50th launch.

Okada stated that the H3′s main engine successfully ignited, but the subsequent signal to ignite a pair of auxiliary boosters was not sent due to an unidentified abnormality detected during the process. He stated that the issue was not with the engines but with an electrical system in the first stage.

The Rocket Is Carrying An Advanced Land Observation Satellite

“We will look into the cause as soon as possible and do everything we can to try again,” Okada said. He expressed optimism that the issue could be resolved and another launch attempted before the current launch window closes on March 10.

The rocket is carrying an Advanced Land Observation Satellite, primarily responsible for Earth observation and data collection for disaster response and map creation, and an experimental infrared sensor developed by the Defense Ministry, which can monitor military activity such as missile launches.

The H3, about 60 meters (196 feet) long, can carry larger payloads than the H-2A, which is 53 meters (174 feet). However, to attract more commercial launch customers, its launch cost has been cut in half to around 50 million yen ($371,000) by simplifying its design, manufacturing, and operation. The hydrogen-powered main engine is a new design that uses fewer parts by changing the combustion method.

The space launch industry is becoming increasingly competitive, with major players such as SpaceX and Arianespace.

SOURCE – (AP)