Japan Launches ‘H3’ Rocket into Space

Japan achieved a significant milestone by successfully launching its new space rocket, the "H3," on Saturday, marking a major recovery for its space program after several setbacks, including last year's failed rocket launch attempt.

This launch also represents the second consecutive success for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) following the "precise" lunar landing of the "SLIM" spacecraft last month.

As a relatively minor player in the space industry in terms of launch numbers, Japan aims to revitalize its program through partnerships with its ally, the United States, to counter China's growing space capabilities.

The "H3" rocket, which blasted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 09:22 AM Tokyo time, was reported to be "on the correct trajectory" with its engines functioning properly, according to the live broadcast by the space agency.

JAXA later confirmed that the rocket successfully deployed its entire payload, which included two microsatellites and a prototype satellite, into space.

Designed to replace the two-decade-old H-IIA rocket, the 63-meter tall "H3" is engineered to carry a 6.5-ton payload into space and reduce the cost of each launch to about 5 billion yen ($33 million), about half the cost required for an H-IIA rocket launch.

The government plans to launch around 20 satellites and probes using the "H3" rockets by 2030.

The demand for satellite launches has surged significantly with the advent of reusable rockets like SpaceX's Falcon 9 for commercial purposes at affordable costs, along with several new rockets being tested this year.