H3 Launch Vehicle
A model of the H3 Launch Vehicle
FunctionMedium-lift launch vehicle
ManufacturerMitsubishi Heavy Industries
Country of originJapan
Cost per launchUS$50 million (H3-303S) [1]
Size
Height63 m (207 ft) [2]
Diameter5.27 m (17.3 ft) [2]
Mass574,000 kg (1,265,000 lb)
(Gross for H3-24L Variant) [3]
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to SSO
Mass4,000 kg (8,800 lb)
(H3-30S/L) [2]
Payload to GTO
(∆Ｖ=1500 m/s)
Mass4,000–7,900 kg (8,800–17,400 lb)
(H3-24S/L) [2][4]
Launch history
StatusActive
Launch sitesTanegashima, LA-Y
Total launches1
Failure(s)1
First flight7 March 2023
Type of passengers/cargoALOS-3
Boosters
No. boosters0, 2 or 4
Powered bySRB-3
Maximum thrust2,158 kN (485,000 lbf) [3]
Specific impulse283.6 s (2.781 km/s)
Burn time105 seconds
PropellantSolid
First stage
Powered by2 or 3 LE-9
Maximum thrust2,942 or 4,413 kN (661,000 or 992,000 lbf) [3]
Specific impulse425 s (4.17 km/s)
PropellantLH2 / LOX
Second stage
Powered by1 LE-5B-3[3]
Maximum thrust137 kN (31,000 lbf)
Specific impulse448 s (4.39 km/s)
PropellantLH2 / LOX

The H3 Launch Vehicle is a Japanese expendable launch system. H3 launch vehicles are liquid-propellant rockets with strap-on solid rocket boosters and are launched from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and JAXA are responsible for the design, manufacture, and operation of the H3. The H3 is the world's first rocket to use an expander bleed cycle for the first stage engine.[5]

As of July 2015, the minimum configuration is to carry a payload of up to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) into Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) for about 5 billion yen, and the maximum configuration is to carry more than 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).[2] The H3-24 variant will deliver more than 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) of payload to lunar transfer orbit (TLI) and 8,800 kg (19,400 lb) of payload to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)(∆Ｖ=1830 m/s).

Development

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries supervised the development and manufacture of the H3 rocket's airframe and liquid-fuel engines, while IHI Corporation developed and manufactured the liquid-fuel engine turbopumps and solid-fuel boosters, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries developed and manufactured the payload fairings.[6][7] The carbon fiber and synthetic resin used for the solid fuel booster motor case and payload fairing were developed and manufactured by Toray.[8]

The development of the H3 was authorized by the Japanese government on 17 May 2013.[9] The H3 Launch Vehicle is being jointly developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to launch a wide variety of commercial satellites. The H3 was designed with cheaper engines compared to the H-IIA, so that manufacturing the new launch vehicle would be faster, less risky, and more cost-effective. JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries were in charge of preliminary design, the readiness of ground facilities, development of new technologies for the H3, and manufacturing. The main emphasis in design is cost reduction, with planned launch costs for customers in the range of around US$37 million.[10]

In 2015, the first H3 was planned to be launched in fiscal year 2020 in the H3-30 configuration (which lacks solid-rocket boosters), and in a later configuration with boosters in FY2021.[Note 1][2]

The newly developed LE-9 engine is the most important factor in achieving cost reduction, improved safety and increased thrust. The expander bleed cycle used in the LE-9 engine is a highly reliable combustion method that Japan has put into practical use for the LE-5A/B engine. However, it is physically difficult for an expander bleed cycle engine to generate large thrust, so the development of the LE-9 engine with a thrust of 1,471 kN (331,000 lbf) is the most challenging and important development element.[11]

Firing tests of the LE-9 first-stage engine began in April 2017,[12] with the first tests of the solid rocket boosters occurring in August 2018.[13]

On 21 January 2022, the launch of the first H3 was rescheduled to FY 2022 or later, citing technical problems regarding the first stage LE-9 engine.[14]

The first launch attempt on 17 February 2023 was aborted just before the SRB-3 boosters ignition, although the main engines were successfully ignited.[15][16][17]

On the second launch attempt for the H3 Launch Vehicle on 7 March the vehicle launched at 1:37:55 AM UTC (Universal Time Coordinated). Shortly after the SRB-3 boosters separated from the rocket around two minutes into the flight, the rocket appeared to lose control and begin to tumble based on the views from the ground camera; however, based on subsequent analysis, this appears to be part of a planned dogleg maneuver in order to achieve sun-synchronous orbit and not in fact a loss of control.[18] Approximately five minutes and twenty-seven seconds after launch, the second stage engine failed to ignite. After continuing to be unable to confirm second stage engine ignition, and with the velocity of the rocket continuing to fall, JAXA sent a self-destruct command to the rocket at around L+ 00:14:50 because there was "no possibility of achieving the mission". The payload onboard was the ALOS-3 satellite, which was also destroyed with the launch vehicle on the moment of self-destruct.[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]

Vehicle description

The H3 Launch Vehicle is a two-stage launch vehicle. The first stage uses liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as propellants and carries zero, two or four strap-on solid rocket boosters (SRBs) (derived from SRB-A) using polybutadiene fuel. The first stage is powered by two or three LE-9 engines which uses an expander bleed cycle design similar to the LE-5B engine.[28] The fuel and oxidizer mass of the first stage is 225 metric tons. The second stage is powered by a single engine which is an improved LE-5B. The propellant mass of the second stage is 23 metric tons.[3][29]

Variants

Each H3 booster configuration has a two-digit plus letter designation that indicates the features of that configuration. The first digit represents the number of LE-9 engines on the main stage, either "2" or "3". The second digit indicates the number of SRB-3 solid rocket boosters attached to the base of the rocket and can be "0", "2", or "4". All layouts of the solid boosters are symmetrical. The letter at the end shows the length of the payload fairing, either short, or "S", or long, or "L". For example, an H3-24L has two engines, four solid rocket boosters, and a long fairing, whereas an H3-30S has three engines, no solid rocket boosters, and a short fairing.[30] W-type fairing is similar to L-type except wider 5.4 m diameter. W-type was mentioned in the description of JAXA's web page, but not in the current description as of November 2023.[31]

As of November 2018, three configurations are planned: H3-30, H3-22, and H3-24.[30]

A previously mentioned variant, the H3-32, was cancelled in late 2018 when the performance of the H3-22 variant, sporting one less engine on the core booster, was found to be greater than anticipated, putting it close to the H3-32's performance. While the H3-32 would have provided greater performance, JAXA cited SpaceX's experience with their Falcon 9 rocket, which routinely lifted commercial communications satellite payloads to less than the gold standard geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) of 1,500 m/s (4,900 ft/s) of delta-V remaining to get to geostationary orbit, leaving the satellites themselves to make up the difference. As commercial clients were apparently willing to be flexible, JAXA proposed redefining their reference transfer orbit to something lower, believing commercial clients would prefer the less expensive (if slightly less capable) H3-22 rocket, even if the client had to then load additional propellant onto their satellite for it to reach GEO, than a more expensive H3-32.[30]

As of October 2019, MHI is considering contributing two variants for the Gateway project: an extended second stage variant, and the H3 Heavy variant which would comprise three first-stage liquid-fuel boosters strapped together, similar to Delta IV Heavy and Falcon Heavy.[32] It would have a payload capacity of 28,300 kg (62,400 lb) to low Earth orbit.[33]

Launch services

H3 will have a "dual-launch capability, but MHI is focused more on dedicated launches" in order to prioritize schedule assurance for customers.[34]

As of 2018, MHI is aiming to price the H3 launch service on par with SpaceX's Falcon 9.[34]

Launch history

Sources: Japanese Cabinet[35]

The first launch attempt was on 17 February 2023. However, following a nominal countdown and LE-9 ignition, the launch was aborted before liftoff because “an anomaly was found in the first stage system and ignition signals for SRB-3s were not sent.” [36] JAXA also said that they would need to rollback the rocket to the VAB before attempting a second launch attempt before the end of March.[37]

The second launch attempt was on 7 March 2023. Ignition of center core plus two solid rocket boosters (SRBs) and lift-off appears to have been nominal. However, second stage ignition was not confirmed and a destruct command was subsequently sent, resulting in the payload not reaching orbit and an overall mission failure.[38]

Date and time (UTC)FlightTypeLaunch sitePayload(s)Outcome
7 March 2023, 01:37:55[39]TF1H3-22S[40]LP2, TanegashimaJapan ALOS-3Failure
15 February 2024, 00:22:55[41]TF2H3-22SLP2, TanegashimaJapan VEP-4 (Vehicle Evaluation Payload-4)
Japan CE-SAT-1E[42]
Japan TIRSAT[42]		Planned
JFY2024 (TBD)F3H3LP2, TanegashimaJapan ALOS-4Planned
JFY2024 (TBD)F4H3Japan DSN-3Planned
JFY2024 (TBD)H3Japan QZS-5Planned
JFY2025 (TBD)H3-24WJapan HTV-X1Planned
JFY2025 (TBD)H3Japan QZS-6Planned
JFY2025 (TBD)H3Japan QZS-7Planned
JFY2025 (TBD)H3Japan ETS-IXPlanned
JFY2026 (TBD)H3-24WJapan HTV-X2Planned
2026 (TBD)H3-24LJapan MMXPlanned
JFY2026 (TBD)H3-24WJapan HTV-X3Planned
JFY2026 (TBD)H3Japan IGS-Optical Diversification 1Planned
2026–28 (TBD)H3JapanIndia LUPEXPlanned
JFY2027 (TBD)H3Japan IGS-Optical 9Planned
JFY2027 (TBD)H3Japan IGS-Optical Diversification 2Planned
2027 (TBD)H3Japan JDRS-2Planned
2027 (TBD)H3Japan ALOS-3 SuccessorPlanned
JFY2028 (TBD)H3Japan Himawari 10Planned
2028 (TBD)H3Japan ALOS-4 SuccessorPlanned
JFY2029 (TBD)H3Japan IGS-Radar Diversification 1Planned
JFY2029 (TBD)H3Japan IGS-Optical 10Planned
JFY2030 (TBD)H3Japan IGS-Radar Diversification 2Planned
JFY2031 (TBD)H3Japan IGS-Radar 9Planned
JFY2032 (TBD)H3Japan IGS-Optical Diversification SuccessorPlanned
JFY2032 (TBD)H3Japan LiteBIRDPlanned
JFY2033 (TBD)H3Japan IGS-Radar 10Planned
JFY2033 (TBD)H3Japan IGS-Optical 11Planned
(TBD)H3United Kingdom Inmarsat (satellite TBD)[43]Planned[44]

Notes

  1. ↑ A Japanese Fiscal Year starts in April of the year and ends in March of the next year. For this case, it denotes launch will occur no earlier than 1 April 2021, and no later than 31 March 2022.

References

  1. ↑ Clark, Stephen (19 September 2017). "Japan's MHI wins deal to launch satellite for Inmarsat". Spaceflight Now. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 新型基幹ロケットの開発状況について (PDF) (in Japanese). 2 July 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "H3 Launch Vehicle Brochure" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  4. ↑ "Space News". Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  5. ↑ Shinya Matsuura (2 February 2021). H3ロケットの主エンジン「LE-9」熱効率向上で世界初に挑戦 (in Japanese). Nikkei Business. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  6. ↑ 2020年 H3ロケットの目指す姿 (PDF) (in Japanese). JAXA. 8 July 2015. p. 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  7. ↑ 姿を現した新型国産ロケット「H3」、開発の舞台はいよいよ種子島へ (in Japanese). Mynavi News. 25 January 2021. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  8. ↑ 東レのトレカプリプレグ Ｈ3ロケットに採用 (in Japanese). Weeklly Gomutimes. 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "JAXA H3 booster". China Post. 19 May 2013. Archived from the original on 9 September 2013.
  10. ↑ "Japan's new rocket fails after engine issue, in blow to space ambitions". The Japan Times. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  11. ↑ Shinya Torishima (24 September 2020). "H3ロケット開発を襲った"魔物"とは？、エンジンに見つかった技術的課題" (in Japanese). Mynavi news. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020.
  12. ↑ LE-9 燃焼試験 (in Japanese). JAXA. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  13. ↑ "Test-firing of booster for H3 rocket". NHK World. 27 August 2018. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  14. ↑ "H3ロケットの試験機1号機の打上げについて" (in Japanese). JAXA. 21 January 2022. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  15. ↑ "Japan's new rocket fails to blast off". AFP. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  16. ↑ Mike Wall (17 February 2023). "Japan's new H3 rocket aborts 1st-ever launch attempt". Space.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  17. ↑ Clark, Stephen. "First launch of Japan's H3 rocket aborted moments before liftoff – Spaceflight Now". Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  18. ↑ "Shiny New Rockets, Old Failed Rockets - Deep Space Updates March 7th". Scott Manley YouTube channel. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  19. ↑ S, Joseph (7 March 2023). "BREAKING! Japan's H3 Rocket Fails During Inaugural Launch - TLP News". The Launch Pad. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  20. ↑ "Japan launches H3 rocket, destroys it over 2nd stage failure". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  21. ↑ "Japan launches H3 rocket, destroys it over 2nd stage failure". news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  22. ↑ National, The (7 March 2023). "Japan destroys new H3 rocket after lift-off as second-stage engine fails". The National. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  23. ↑ Andrew Jones published (7 March 2023). "Japan's new H3 rocket fails on 1st test flight, advanced Earth observation satellite lost". Space.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  24. ↑ YAMAGUCHI, MARI (7 March 2023). "Japan launches H3 rocket, destroys it over 2nd stage failure". Times Union. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  25. ↑ "Japanese rocket and disaster-management satellite destroyed in space after engine failure". ABC News. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  26. ↑ "Hopes crushed as next-gen rocket explodes". The Cairns Post. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  27. ↑ "Japan Launches H3 Rocket, Destroys It Over 2nd-Stage Failure". thediplomat.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  28. ↑ "Development of the LE-X Engine" (PDF). Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review. 48 (4). December 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  29. ↑ 2020年：H3ロケットの目指す姿 (PDF) (in Japanese). JAXA. 8 July 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  30. 1 2 3 H3ロケットの開発状況について (PDF) (in Japanese). JAXA. 29 November 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  31. ↑ 衛星フェアリングとは (in Japanese). JAXA. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  32. ↑ Space News
  33. ↑ Henry, Caleb (25 October 2019). "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries mulls upgraded H3 rocket variants for lunar missions". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  34. 1 2 Henry, Caleb (12 July 2018). "Blue Origin to offer dual launch with New Glenn after fifth mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 5 August 2018. H3 is on track for a 2020 debut with a price meant to be on par with SpaceX's Falcon 9.
  35. ↑ "宇宙基本計画⼯程表 (令和５年度改訂)" [Basic Plan on Space Policy (2023 Revision)] (PDF) (in Japanese). Cabinet Office. 22 December 2023. p. 45. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  36. ↑ "JAXA | Cancellation of Today's Launch of the First H3 Launch Vehicle Carrying Advanced Land Observing Satellite-3 "DAICHI-3" (ALOS-3)". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  37. ↑ "「H3」打ち上げ中止 何が起こった?今後は? JAXA開発責任者会見" ["H3" launch canceled What happened? Future? JAXA development manager interview]. NHK. 17 February 2023. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  38. ↑ "BREAKING! Japan 1st H3 Rocket Launch Failure". The Launch Pad Youtube Channel. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  39. ↑ "H3ロケット試験機1号機による先進光学衛星「だいち3号」（ALOS-3）の打上げについて[再設定(その5)]" [Launch of Advanced Optical Satellite "DAICHI-3" (ALOS-3) by H3 Rocket Test Vehicle No. 1 [Reschedule (Part 5)]]. JAXA. 4 March 2023. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  40. ↑ H3ロケットの開発状況について (PDF). 宇宙開発利用部会 (in Japanese). 10 December 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  41. ↑ "JAXA 主力ロケット「H3」2号機 2024年2月15日に打ち上げへ" [JAXA main rocket “H3” No. 2 to be launched on February 15, 2024]. NHK (in Japanese). 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  42. 1 2 "「Ｈ３」２号機、衛星搭載せず　リスク回避、早期打ち上げ目指す―文科省". Yahoo! Japan (in Japanese). 27 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  43. ↑ Henry, Caleb (6 December 2018). "Inmarsat books Japanese H3 rocket's first commercial launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  44. ↑ "Inmarsat to be first commercial customer for the new H3 launch vehicle provided by MHI". INMARSAT. 6 December 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
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