Japan’s most powerful rocket H3 failed in its first flight and will launch No. 2 in February 2024

According to Japanese media reports,The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that it will launch the No. 2 unit of Japan’s new domestic H3 rocket on February 15, 2024.As the successor of the H2 series, the H3 rocket has a total length of 63 meters and a diameter of 5.2 meters. Its satellite launch capability is considered to be more than 30% higher than the current main rocket H2A. It is the strongest rocket developed by Japan.

At the same time, its launch cost is only about 5 billion euros, which is equivalent to half of H2A.

The H3 rocket was originally scheduled to fly for the first time on February 17, 2023, but due to an abnormal power supply system cancellation, it did not finally take off until March 7. However,Second stage rocket motor failed to ignite successfully, had to self-destruct, and the launch failed.

It is worth mentioning thatJapan's H2A and Epsilon rockets have also suffered multiple launch failures., all have to be returned to zero for investigation, resulting in the Japanese aerospace system temporarily having no rockets available.