A Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) mission faced setbacks on December 22 when the H3 rocket experienced an anomaly during its flight. The issue occurred with the LE-5B-3 engine in the upper stage, which failed to ignite properly and shut down too early, preventing the QZS-5 communication satellite from reaching its intended orbit.
The rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 10:51 a.m. JST (0151 UTC), initially showing a normal performance in its first stage. However, during the planned mission, which included two burns of the upper stage, the second burn abruptly concluded, negating the mission’s objectives.
JAXA’s project manager, Makoto Arita, stated in a news conference that before proceeding with future launches, it is essential to investigate the cause of this failure and implement corrective measures. The conference was conducted in Japanese and provided comprehensive insight into the challenges faced.
The QZS-5 satellite was part of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, aimed at enhancing local navigation services in Japan to complement the U.S.-managed Global Positioning System (GPS).
This incident marks the second setback for the H3 rocket program since its debut in March 2023, which was also marred by a second-stage anomaly. However, despite these challenges, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and JAXA have successfully conducted five subsequent missions with the H3 rocket, including a notable launch of the HTV-X cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station on October 26.
The commitment to investigating the failures and ensuring improvements demonstrates the resilience and dedication of Japan’s aerospace efforts, promising a future of high potential in space exploration and satellite technology.