Japan's space agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has unveiled plans for a significant upgrade to its satellite imaging system. This upgrade will coincide with the launch of an H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan. The launch is scheduled for early afternoon on June 30, with a launch window extending through the end of July.
The H3 rocket will be carrying the Advanced Land Observation Satellite, ALOS-4, which is designed for Earth observation, disaster response, mapmaking, and monitoring military activities such as missile launches. The ALOS-4, a successor to the current ALOS-2, boasts enhanced capabilities and can observe a much wider area.
This upcoming launch will mark the third test flight of the H3 rocket. The first attempt in March 2023 ended in failure when the rocket's second stage engine failed to ignite. However, a successful launch took place on February 17. During the successful test flight, the H3 rocket carried two commercially-developed observation microsatellites and an ALOS mockup.
JAXA and its main contractor, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), have been collaborating on the development of the H3 rocket as a replacement for the current H-2A rocket. The H-2A is expected to retire after two more flights, with MHI set to take over H3 production and launches from JAXA. The goal is to make the H3 rocket commercially viable, ensuring a stable and competitive space transport capability for Japan's space program and national security.
The H3 rocket, measuring 57 meters (187 feet) in length, is designed to accommodate larger payloads than the H-2A while reducing launch costs by approximately half. This advancement represents a significant step forward for Japan's space exploration efforts and underscores the country's commitment to advancing its space capabilities.
