activeJAXA / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
H3 Launch Vehicle
Japan's next-generation flagship rocket replacing H-IIA. After a failed first flight in Mar 2023 (second stage shutdown), H3 successfully reached orbit on its second attempt in Feb 2024. Now operational, targeting 50% cost reduction over H-IIA. Key for Japan's independent access to space and launching IGS reconnaissance satellites.
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Budget
¥197B (~$1.3B) development
Timeline
2014–ongoing
Key Milestones
H3 Flight 1 — second stage failure, destructed (ALOS-3 lost)
2023 — Mar
H3 Flight 2 — successful orbital insertion, VEP-4 deployed
2024 — Feb
H3 Flight 3 — DSN-3 defense satellite successfully launched
2024
H3 entering regular operational service; multiple government payloads
2025
Targeting 6+ flights/year operational cadence
2026
Contractors
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Sources
- jaxa.jp
- mhi.com