JAXA reported that the H3 rocket lifted off at 9:30 a.m. local time on April 4 from the launch pad in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. This launch was the first for the H3 rocket to use only liquid-fuel engines, as opposed to the combination with solid-fuel boosters employed by previous generations.
According to JAXA, the rocket performed normally throughout its flight, and the onboard small satellites were successfully released into their planned orbits. The mission aimed to test the new propulsion system and reaffirm the reliability of the H3 rocket following earlier test launches.
The H3 rocket was developed by JAXA in partnership with industrial contractors to replace the H-IIA series, which has been in service for more than two decades. With its all-liquid-fuel engine design, the H3 is intended to reduce launch costs and increase flexibility in deploying commercial, military, and scientific satellites into orbit.
Experts regard this success as opening a new chapter for Japan's space program, enhancing its competitiveness in the increasingly active global satellite launch market. JAXA plans to conduct the H3's initial commercial missions later this year.
