The H3 rocket’s fourth launch, originally scheduled to carry Japan’s Kirameki defense communication satellite on October 26, has been postponed by four days. Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced yesterday that they identified a malfunction in some engine components during pre-launch checks.
According to NHK, the H3 rocket was set to lift off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture. However, JAXA reported that a valve issue was found in the second stage engine, necessitating time for parts replacement and further inspections, which has resulted in the delay.
As reported by Nishinippon Shimbun, this marks the second postponement for the H3 rocket’s fourth launch. It was initially planned for October 20, but that schedule was impacted by delays in the launch of the H-IIA rocket’s 49th mission.
The first H3 rocket launch in March 2023 ended in failure, which resulted in the loss of the Daichi 3 Earth observation satellite. After determining the cause of that failure and implementing corrective measures, JAXA successfully launched both the second and third H3 rockets. The agency hopes that the fourth launch will also be successful, laying the groundwork for consistent and reliable operations in the future.
