Japan successfully launches H3 rocket after two failed attempts

Tokyo, February 17

A Japanese flagship H3 rocket lifted off from a space station in southwestern Japan on Saturday, successfully achieving its planned trajectory and releasing two small observation satellites in a key second test, overcoming its failed debut launch a year ago and buoying hope for the country to be competitive in the global space race.

The H3 rocket blasted off from a launch pad at the Tanegashima Space Centre on time Saturday morning, two days after its originally scheduled liftoff was delayed due to bad weather.

The rocket achieved the planned trajectory and released the two satellites, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said.

“We feel so relieved to be able to announce the good results,” JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa told a news conference.

H3’s main missions are to secure independent access to space and to acquire global competitiveness amid growing international demand for satellite launches. “We made a big first step today toward achieving that goal,” Yamakawa said.

Saturday’s success is a boost for Japan’s space programme following a recent streak of successes, including a historic precision touchdown on the moon of an unmanned spacecraft last month. — AP