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Japan's space agency on Saturday (February 17) launched a second test model of its new flagship rocket H3, almost one year after the first failed due to engine ignition trouble.


Article (news)

Japan launches H3 rocket a year after failed first flight

Reuters

<p>Japan&#x27;s space agency on Saturday (February 17) launched a second test model of its new flagship rocket H3, almost one year after the first failed due to engine ignition trouble.</p><p>The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and primary contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plan for the H3 to replace the two-decade-old H-IIA rocket, hoping that its lower costs and greater payload capacity will help them win launch orders from global clients.</p><p>The rocket will fly for about two hours and then release two micro-satellites and a dummy mass simulating a satellite payload. JAXA will host a press conference later in the day to explain the mission&#x27;s outcome.</p><p>A successful launch of the next-generation flagship rocket would follow the historic &quot;pinpoint&quot; moon landing of Japan&#x27;s SLIM spacecraft, burnishing the country&#x27;s space credentials.</p><div><em>(Production: Chris Gallagher)</em></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Japan's space agency on Saturday (February 17) launched a second test model of its new flagship rocket H3, almost one year after the first failed due to engine ignition trouble.</p>

Japan's space agency on Saturday (February 17) launched a second test model of its new flagship rocket H3, almost one year after the first failed due to engine ignition trouble.