JAXA to Give 2nd Shot at H3 Rocket Launch Thurs.
Tokyo, Feb. 12 (Jiji Press)--The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, plans to launch the second unit of its H3 new liquid fuel rocket Thursday after failing in the launch of the first unit in March 2023.
JAXA finished its preparations for the second H3 launch in less than a year, working out measures to prevent any such failure through investigations into the cause of the incident mainly with partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
In last year's launch, the second-stage engine of the first unit failed to ignite due to an electrical problem. The Earth observation satellite Daichi-3, which was on board, was also lost.
"We've been working hard to make up for the failure. We definitely want to achieve success," said Masashi Okada, project manager in charge of the development.
The investigations, which began immediately after the launch failure, were an "all-out war" in which staff at departments not directly related to the H3 rocket and former employees were also mobilized, JAXA officials said.
Focusing mainly on the electrical system of the second-stage engine, where the excessive current was detected, the investigative team tried to identify the cause, checking the flight data and manufacturing records and conducting reproduction tests. It narrowed down the possible causes to three, including a short circuit in the ignition device.
With the retirement of the current H-2A rocket approaching in fiscal 2024, JAXA chose to resume H3 launches early. It has dealt with all three possibilities including by strengthening the insulation of parts and removing less important parts.
JAXA originally planned to mount the Daichi-4 satellite on the second unit of the H3 rocket. But the plan was changed after the failure of the first unit.
Instead of a satellite, the second unit will carry a dummy payload, called Vehicle Evaluation Payload-4, that is about 4 meters high and weighs 2.6 tons. Its mass and center of gravity are almost the same as those of the Daichi-3 satellite, making it easier to analyze the expected flight path and load.
Meanwhile, the launch will provide demonstration opportunities for small satellites. The second H3 rocket will carry an observation satellite weighing about 70 kilograms developed by Canon Electronics Inc. and a nanosatellite developed mainly by the Japan Space Systems.
In 2024, expected competitors of the H3, such as Europe's Ariane 6, are also slated to make their debut.
"While we need to investigate the cause (of a failure) and take preventive measures carefully and meticulously, speed is also necessary to remain internationally competitive," JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa has said. "We're working on the launch resumption at this extremely important juncture."
END
