Japan successfully launches H3 rocket, a year after failed debut
- Saturday’s success is a major boost for Japan’s space programme as the country struggles to stay competitive in the global space race
- In its debut flight last March, the rocket had to be destroyed along with its payload
Japan’s space agency toasted a successful blast-off for its new flagship rocket on Saturday, making it third time lucky after years of delays and two previous failed attempts.
The next-generation H3 has been mooted as a rival to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, and could one day deliver cargo to bases on the Moon.
“I’ve been in the space industry for a long time, but I’ve never felt so happy before, and I’ve never felt so relieved,” said Hiroshi Yamakawa, president of space agency JAXA.
The latest launch follows Japan’s successful landing last month of an unmanned probe on the Moon – albeit at a wonky angle – making it just the fifth country to land a craft on the lunar surface.
“So happy to see this incredible accomplishment in the space sector that follows on from the success of the SLIM moon landing,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a post on X.
The H3 launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan at 9:22am local time.
