Japan destroys next-generation H3 rocket midflight after launch attempt fails

The failure is a blow for Japan’s space agency JAXA, which has billed the rocket as a flexible and cost-effective new flagship

Tuesday’s launch was carrying the ALOS-3 observation satellite, which was intended to help with disaster management and other monitoring

Reading Time:2 minutes

A public relation officer of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) explains the launch failure of the H3 rocket to members of the media at Tanegashima Space Centre on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters

Published: 11:29am, 7 Mar 2023Updated: 1:03pm, 7 Mar 2023

Japan’s second attempt to launch its next-generation H3 rocket failed after lift-off on Tuesday, with the space agency issuing a destruct command after concluding the mission could not succeed.

The failure is a blow for Japan’s space agency JAXA, which has billed the rocket as a flexible and cost-effective new flagship.

But the first launch was delayed by several years, and then failed on a first attempt last month when the solid rocket boosters did not ignite.

Tuesday’s launch from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan initially appeared to be a success, with the rocket lifting off at 10:37am local time.

An H3 rocket carrying a land observation satellite lifts off from Tanegashima Space Centre on the Japanese island of Tanegashima on Tuesday. The launch initially appeared to be a success. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters

The first stage separation appeared to go as planned, but upon reaching space, the rocket’s second-stage engine failed to ignite, forcing mission officials to manually destroy the vehicle.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x