Tech Japan’s H3 rocket fails to deploy geolocation satellite

[thomas]

A Japanese H3 rocket was unable to place its payload into the planned orbit after lifting off on Monday, leaving the sixth satellite in a seven-satellite geolocation network short of its intended destination. The launch was conducted from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Kagoshima Prefecture at 10.51 a.m., but the mission did not proceed as planned. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is now reviewing telemetry and other data after the rocket's second-stage engine shut down earlier than expected, roughly 30 minutes into the flight. The agency has begun analysing the sequence of events to determine the cause of the malfunction.

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture (photo credit: Kyodo).

The setback represents the second failed launch for the H3 programme. A run of five successful missions followed its initial failure in March 2023 before this latest incident.

JAXA officials said it will confirm whether the satellite was separated from the rocket and then engage in a full-fledged investigation on the cause of dropped pressure of a hydrogen fuel tank during the flight. The second-stage engine was planned to combust twice, but the second combustion, expected to last for more than 4 minutes, appears to have subsided immediately after its start, according to JAXA. Placed on multiple orbital planes, the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System will enable Japan to operate highly accurate positioning services vital for smartphones and vehicle navigation, covering close to 100 percent of the country, including urban canyons and mountainous terrain, according to JAXA. The launch of Michibiki No. 5 satellite from Tanegashima, an island in southwestern Japan, had been originally scheduled for Dec. 7, but it was rescheduled to last Wednesday and then Monday after abnormalities were detected in the rocket and ground facilities.

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put geolocation satellite into orbit

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the sixth satellite in a seven-orbiter geolocation system failed to deliver its payload into the target orbit after liftoff on Monday, the country's space agency said.

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