After the first launch of Japan's new main rocket "H3", the second stage engine failed to fire and the launch failed. It was revealed that there was an abnormality in the voltage and other values in some of the equipment before and after the ignition timing.
Japan's new main rocket "H3" No. 1 was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on the 7th, but after separating the first and second stages of the aircraft, the second stage engine was ignited. However, about 14 minutes after launch, it sent a signal to destroy the rocket, and the launch failed.
At an expert meeting held at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on the 8th, JAXA reported on the results of its research so far.
As a result of analyzing the flight data, it was confirmed that an ignition signal was sent from the fuselage to the second stage engine, and reception was confirmed by the equipment on the engine side. was found to be abnormal.
JAXA believes that an abnormality occurred before or after the ignition timing, and plans to investigate the cause in detail, take countermeasures, and aim for the next launch as soon as possible.
Professor Emeritus Matokawa, JAXA “Influencing entry into space development”
Professor Emeritus Yasunori Matokawa of JAXA, who has been involved in the development of domestic rockets for many years, gave a lecture at the Japan Press Center in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo on the afternoon of the 8th, and the first model of the new rocket "H3" on the 7th. Regarding the failure of the launch, he said, ``Since the first unit has a different combination of parts than before, we are not used to handling it. He expressed his own thoughts on the difficulties unique to the first machine.
On top of that, regarding future launches, he said, "A mission to Mars using 'H3' is also planned, but the opportunity to go to Mars is only about once every two years, so we will launch a probe with an overseas rocket. In terms of entry into space development, now is a time of opportunity, and the longer the next launch is delayed, the more impact it will have.The second-stage engine that failed to fire at yesterday's launch It's an improved version of H2A, and I'm worried it won't affect it."
On the other hand, regarding how to proceed with the investigation into the cause of the launch failure, he pointed out, ``In Japan, space-related meetings of the Cabinet Office are not open to the public, so it is necessary to make an announcement in a transparent manner.'' .
In addition, regarding the succession of launch failures, including Epsilon 6, he said, "Personally, I have the impression that there are not enough people at the JAXA site. If the site is a bicycle operation, JAXA's management We may need something more balanced," he said.