Japan successfully launched its new H3 rocket at a space center on a southwestern island Saturday, nearly a year after a failed attempt cast doubt over the country's aspirations in the space industry.
The H3 rocket No. 2 entered its planned orbit and deployed a dummy satellite and two functioning microsatellites, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said. It lifted off at 9:22 a.m. from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The H3 launch vehicle, expected to be a successor to Japan's current mainstay H2A rocket, will likely be used to deliver supplies and materials to the International Space Station and the Gateway, a lunar-orbiting outpost planned under the U.S.-led Artemis space program.
"The H3 finally gave its first cry. The launch was a perfect success," JAXA project manager Masashi Okada told a press conference.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hailed the successful launch of the domestically produced rocket, saying on his X account, "I would like to express my respect for the efforts of everyone involved over the years, and hope that Japan's flagship rockets will continue to steadily accumulate achievements."
In the latest launch, JAXA aimed to confirm the rocket's capacity to control its positioning and deploy satellites.
The dummy satellite matches the weight and balance of the one on the H3 rocket No. 1, which in March last year was ordered to self-destruct minutes after launch due to its second-stage engine failing to ignite. The failure followed a string of delays in the rocket's development.
The No. 2 rocket has an improved ignition system. JAXA confirmed its second-stage engine ignited properly about five minutes after liftoff.
The H3 was developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. to serve as Japan's next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle. The development has cost some 220 billion yen ($1.46 billion).
The failed launch last year led to calls for an overhaul of the country's space strategy.
The H3, the first revamp of the main launch vehicle in around 20 years, is expected to give the country continuous access to space as it aims to gain a foothold in the increasingly competitive satellite-launching business.
Global competition has intensified since SpaceX of the United States, which boasts a strong track record in rocket launches, entered the market.
"We have made great progress toward securing international competitiveness" with the successful launch of the H3 rocket, JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa told the news conference.
With the H3 rocket, JAXA plans to launch an earth observation satellite named ALOS-4 and undertake the Martian Moons Exploration project, or MMX, in the future.
Around 1,200 people gathered at a park about six kilometers from the space center to watch the launch.
"I felt like I saw Japan's potential," said Katsuhiro Yoshida, 25, who arrived from Aichi Prefecture on Friday and spent the night in a car.
Satoshi Harada, 40, who lives in Kagoshima Prefecture and came with his family, said, "The rocket carried the enthusiasm of the people involved and was very impressive. I would like to thank them for delivering such bright news."
The H3 was originally scheduled for launch by the end of March 2021. But the plan was significantly pushed back over issues including with the newly developed engine.
The launch service price for the H3 will be lower than that of the H2A, according to JAXA.
Saturday's launch of the No. 2 rocket was initially scheduled for Thursday but was postponed due to a forecast of bad weather.
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