Japan successfully launches H3 rocket
The Japan Times • • world
Key Points:
- Japan successfully launched its flagship H3 rocket on Friday morning, resuming flights about six months after a failed mission in December.
- The H3 Launch Vehicle No. 6 lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 9:53 a.m. and reached its target orbit approximately 16 minutes later.
- This mission marked the first flight of the H3’s new "30 configuration," a booster-free variant with three first-stage liquid-fueled LE-9 engines and no solid rocket boosters.
- The "30 configuration" is designed to be the lowest-cost model in the H3 rocket series, aimed at enhancing Japan’s competitiveness in the global launch market.