Japan's H3 Rocket Launch Marks Space Comeback

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has successfully launched an advanced Earth observation satellite using its new H3 rocket. The launch happened at noon from the Tanegashima Space Center, marking the second successful deployment of Japan's flagship heavy payload vehicle. 
 
During a live broadcast of the event, JAXA commentators confirmed that there had been a successful lift-off. The H3 rocket was carrying ALOS-4, or Advanced Land Observing Satellite. This cutting-edge piece of technology is equipped with radar systems designed to monitor weather patterns and natural disasters around the globe. 
 
ALOS-4 was released into low-Earth orbit approximately 16 minutes after take-off, according to official reports from JAXA. As a relatively new addition to Japan's space program, the H3 does not yet have an established track record in terms of cost-effectiveness and timely delivery for clients seeking access to orbit. 
 
However, it represents Japan's best opportunity so far to compete in an increasingly crowded field dominated by major players such as SpaceX. Manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., this single-use heavy payload vehicle stands at 63 meters tall. 
 
Over the two decades leading up to this point, its predecessor managed 47 successful launches out of 48 attempts, according to data provided by JAXA. Only two rockets remain from previous iterations; therefore, soon enough, all eyes will be on the performance of these newer models. 
 
Hiroshi Yamakawa, Director at JAXA, emphasized during a recent press conference in Tokyo that "the H3 needs to carry on that legacy." He further stated, "We need to demonstrate that it can deliver payloads to orbit on time and with great accuracy." 
 
This statement comes against various setbacks faced by JAXA over recent years, including costly mistakes such as their smaller Epsilon rocket exploding towards the end of 2022. 
 
In March last year too, they attempted to launch another H3, but system failures between the side booster and main engine forced the agency to self-destruct, resulting in the loss of both the rocket and the satellite it carried. 
 
However, following a thorough investigation that lasted nearly a year, they successfully launched H3 on its maiden mission this February, albeit with a dummy satellite. 
 
The estimated cost of launching an H3 is ¥5 billion (US$32.6 million), roughly half that of its predecessor, according to JAXA officials. The true cost will be determined by market demand and supply forces at play. 
 
JAXA aims to conduct six launches annually using single-use rockets such as the H3. This pales against SpaceX's record of almost 100 reusable rocket launches last year alone. However, Shinichi Kimura from Tokyo University's Research Centre for Space System Innovation clarified that their goal isn't necessarily to compete directly with SpaceX but rather to fill gaps in demand-supply dynamics within global space industry markets. 
 
Japan also hopes these new rockets can attract domestic companies seeking entry into commercial space markets currently dominated by international giants. 
   
In light of this, JAXA plans to start accepting applications from July onwards for ¥1 trillion, or US$6.5 billion, of funding over the next decade aimed at supporting promising startups and academic institutions in their ventures towards outer space exploration.