Science and technology

Next generation launcher H3

Space: failed launch of the new Japanese rocket that self-destructs in flight

Five minutes and 27 seconds after take-off, the second stage engine failed to start

07/03/2023

The launch of the Japanese next-generation H3 rocket failed 5 minutes and 27 seconds after takeoff, due to the failure to ignite the engine of the second stage after separation. Realizing that the mission could not continue, the Japanese space agency Jaxa sent the self-destruct command from Earth.

Today's launch, which took place from the Tanegashima Space Center when it was 2:37 a.m. in Italy, was highly anticipated after last month, on its first attempt, the rocket failed to take off due to technical problems.

The H3 is a next-generation carrier that aims to reduce the costs of a single launch by 50% compared to its predecessor, the H2A, with the aim of falling below $50 million per launch.

The rocket that was destroyed today carried the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-3 (ALOS-3), also known as DAICHI-3, bound for a sun-synchronous orbit 416 miles (669 km) away from Earth. It is designed to provide high-resolution images of Japan and other areas in 43-mile (70-kilometer) wide strips with a sharp resolution of up to 2.6 feet (0.8 meters).