H3 (rocket)#Variants
{{Short description|Japanese expendable launch system}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox rocket
| name = H3
| image = H3 rocket launch.jpg
| caption = Launch of a H3 rocket carrying the QZS-6 satellite on {{nowrap|2 February 2025}}
| function = Medium-lift launch vehicle
| manufacturer = Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
| country-origin = Japan
| cpl-year =
| cpl = {{US$|50 million|link=yes}} for H3{{nbhyph}}30S
| mass = {{cvt|574000|kg}} for H3{{nbhyph}}24L
| stages = 2
| capacities = {{Infobox rocket/payload
| location = SSO
| kilos = {{cvt|4000|kg}} for H3{{nbhyph}}30}}
{{Infobox rocket/payload
| location = GTO
| kilos = {{cvt|4000–7900|kg}} for H3{{nbhyph}}24{{Cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/mitsubishi-heavy-industries-mulls-upgraded-h3-rocket-variants-for-lunar-missions/ |title=Space News |date=25 October 2019 |access-date=12 January 2020 |archive-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001033532/https://spacenews.com/mitsubishi-heavy-industries-mulls-upgraded-h3-rocket-variants-for-lunar-missions/ |url-status=live }}
}}
| family = H-II family
| derived_from = H-IIB
| status = Active
| sites = Tanegashima, LA-Y2
| first = 7 March 2023
| last = 2 February 2025
| launches = 5
| success = 4
| fail = 1
| partial =
| payloads = ALOS-4
| stagedata = {{Infobox rocket/stage
| type = booster
| name = SRB-3
| number = 0, 2 or 4
| length =
| diameter =
| empty =
| gross =
| propmass =
| solid = yes
| thrust = {{cvt|2158|kN}} each
| total = {{cvt|4316|or|8632|kN}}
| SI = {{cvt|283.6|isp}}
| burntime = 105 seconds
| fuel =
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
| type = stage
| diff =
| stageno = First
| name =
| number =
| length =
| diameter =
| empty =
| gross =
| propmass =
| engines = 2 or 3 × LE-9
| thrust = {{cvt|2944|or|4416|kN}}
| SI = {{cvt|425|isp}}
| burntime =
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
| type = stage
| diff =
| stageno = Second
| name =
| number =
| length =
| diameter =
| empty =
| gross =
| propmass =
| engines = 1 × LE-5B-3
| thrust = {{cvt|137|kN}}
| total =
| SI = {{cvt|448|isp}}
| burntime =
}}
}}
The H3 rocket 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.
{{As of|2015|7}}, the minimum configuration is to carry a payload of up to {{cvt|4000|kg}} into Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) for about 5 billion yen, and the maximum configuration is to carry more than {{cvt|6500|kg}} into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The H3{{nbhyph}}24 variant will deliver more than {{cvt|6000|kg}} of payload to lunar transfer orbit (TLI) and {{cvt|8800|kg}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://fanfun.jaxa.jp/jaxatv/files/jaxatv_20150708_h3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104225302/https://fanfun.jaxa.jp/jaxatv/files/jaxatv_20150708_h3.pdf|script-title=ja:2020年 H3ロケットの目指す姿|page=30|language=ja|publisher=JAXA|date=8 July 2015|archive-date=4 November 2022|access-date=24 February 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://news.mynavi.jp/techplus/article/20210125-1671763/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126215812/https://news.mynavi.jp/techplus/article/20210125-1671763/|script-title=ja: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|language=ja|publisher=Mynavi News|date=25 January 2021|archive-date=26 January 2022|access-date=24 February 2023}} The carbon fiber and synthetic resin used for the solid fuel booster motor case and payload fairing were developed and manufactured by Toray.{{cite web|url=https://www.gomutimes.co.jp/?p=180548|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224092129/https://www.gomutimes.co.jp/?p=180548|script-title=ja:東レのトレカプリプレグ H3ロケットに採用|language=ja|publisher=Weekly Gomutimes|date=14 February 2023|archive-date=24 February 2023|access-date=24 February 2023}}
The development of the H3 was authorized by the Japanese government on 17 May 2013. 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.{{Cite web |date=7 March 2023 |title=Japan's new rocket fails after engine issue, in blow to space ambitions |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/03/07/national/science-health/h3-rocket-fails/ |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=The Japan Times|archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307211419/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/03/07/national/science-health/h3-rocket-fails/ |url-status=live }}
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.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.
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 {{cvt|1471|kN}} was the most challenging and important development element.
Firing tests of the LE-9 first-stage engine began in April 2017,{{cite web|url=http://www.rocket.jaxa.jp/engine/le9/firingtest.html|script-title=ja:LE-9 燃焼試験|language=ja|publisher=JAXA|access-date=21 January 2020|archive-date=1 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301041356/http://www.rocket.jaxa.jp/engine/le9/firingtest.html|url-status=dead}} with the first tests of the solid rocket boosters occurring in August 2018.
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.
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.{{cite journal|url=http://www.mhi.co.jp/technology/review/pdf/e484/e484036.pdf|title=Development of the LE-X Engine|journal=Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review|volume=48|issue=4|date=December 2011|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=9 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709084847/http://www.mhi.co.jp/technology/review/pdf/e484/e484036.pdf|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://global.jaxa.jp/activity/pr/brochure/files/rocket09.pdf|title=H3 Launch Vehicle Brochure|access-date=20 September 2016|archive-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211023251/http://global.jaxa.jp/activity/pr/brochure/files/rocket09.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://fanfun.jaxa.jp/jaxatv/files/jaxatv_20150708_h3.pdf|script-title=ja:2020年：H3ロケットの目指す姿|language=ja|publisher=JAXA|date=8 July 2015|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305142308/http://fanfun.jaxa.jp/jaxatv/files/jaxatv_20150708_h3.pdf|url-status=live}}
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. W-type fairing is similar to L-type except wider 5.4 m diameter.{{refn|group=Note|W-type was mentioned in the description of JAXA's web page, but not in the current description {{as of|November 2023|lc=y}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.rocket.jaxa.jp/rocket/h3/faring.html |language=Japanese |script-title=ja:衛星フェアリングとは |publisher=JAXA |access-date=25 September 2022 |archive-date=25 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925074232/https://www.rocket.jaxa.jp/rocket/h3/faring.html |url-status=live }} Manufacturing of W-type fairing is contracted to RUAG Space (now Beyond Gravity), whereas other types are manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.{{cite web |url=http://www.satnews.com/story.php?number=649017421 |title=Payload Fairings Supplied by RUAG Space Contracted by MHI for the H3 Launch Vehicle |publisher=satnews |date=10 April 2019 |access-date=30 May 2024}}}}
{{As of|2018|11}}, three configurations are planned: H3-30, H3-22, and H3-24.
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 {{cvt|1500|m/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.
{{As of|2019|10}}, 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.[https://spacenews.com/mhi-pressing-through-pandemic-toward-late-2020-h3-rocket-debut/ Space News] It would have a payload capacity of {{cvt|28300|kg}} to low Earth orbit.{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/mitsubishi-heavy-industries-mulls-upgraded-h3-rocket-variants-for-lunar-missions/|title=Mitsubishi Heavy Industries mulls upgraded H3 rocket variants for lunar missions|first=Caleb|last=Henry|publisher=SpaceNews|date=25 October 2019|access-date=13 January 2020|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001033532/https://spacenews.com/mitsubishi-heavy-industries-mulls-upgraded-h3-rocket-variants-for-lunar-missions/|url-status=live}}
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.
As of 2018, MHI is aiming to price the H3 launch service on par with SpaceX's Falcon 9.{{cite news|last=Henry|first=Caleb|url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-offer-dual-launch-with-new-glenn-after-fifth-mission/|title=Blue Origin to offer dual launch with New Glenn after fifth mission|publisher=SpaceNews|date=12 July 2018|access-date=5 August 2018|quote=H3 is on track for a 2020 debut with a price meant to be on par with SpaceX's Falcon 9.}}
Launch history
{{See also|List of H-II series and H3 launches#2024}}
=Past launches=
Sources: Japanese Cabinet{{cite web |url=https://www8.cao.go.jp/space/plan/plan2/kaitei_fy05/kaitei_fy0512.pdf |title=宇宙基本計画⼯程表 (令和5年度改訂) |trans-title=Basic Plan on Space Policy (2023 Revision) |page=45 |publisher=Cabinet Office |date=22 December 2023 |access-date=26 December 2023 |language=ja |archive-date=25 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225105156/https://www8.cao.go.jp/space/plan/plan2/kaitei_fy05/kaitei_fy0512.pdf |url-status=live}}
; TF1
The first launch attempt on 17 February 2023 was aborted just before the SRB-3 boosters ignition, although the main engines were successfully ignited.{{cite news |title=Japan's new rocket fails to blast off |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/world/2023/02/501_345629.html |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=19 February 2023 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218055925/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/world/2023/02/501_345629.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |author1=Mike Wall |date=17 February 2023 |title=Japan's new H3 rocket aborts 1st-ever launch attempt |url=https://www.space.com/japan-h3-rocket-first-launch-attempt-abort |access-date=18 March 2023 |website=Space.com|archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318013610/https://www.space.com/japan-h3-rocket-first-launch-attempt-abort |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |title=First launch of Japan's H3 rocket aborted moments before liftoff – Spaceflight Now |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/02/17/first-launch-of-japans-h3-rocket-aborted-moments-before-liftoff/ |access-date=18 March 2023|archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319035449/https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/02/17/first-launch-of-japans-h3-rocket-aborted-moments-before-liftoff/ |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |title=Shiny New Rockets, Old Failed Rockets – Deep Space Updates March 7th |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AVKP12YE0E |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=Scott Manley YouTube channel | date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308073129/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AVKP12YE0E |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |last=S |first=Joseph |date=7 March 2023 |title=BREAKING! Japan's H3 Rocket Fails During Inaugural Launch – TLP News |url=https://tlpnetwork.com/news/2023/03/h3-maiden-flight-anomaly |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=The Launch Pad |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307063237/https://tlpnetwork.com/news/2023/03/h3-maiden-flight-anomaly |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Japan launches H3 rocket, destroys it over 2nd stage failure |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/japan-launches-h3-rocket-destroys-2nd-stage-failure-97672795 |access-date=7 March 2023 |publisher=ABC News|location=United States |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307061733/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/japan-launches-h3-rocket-destroys-2nd-stage-failure-97672795 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Japan launches H3 rocket, destroys it over 2nd stage failure |url=https://news.yahoo.com/japan-launches-h3-rocket-destroys-043848201.html |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=news.yahoo.com |date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307061737/https://news.yahoo.com/japan-launches-h3-rocket-destroys-043848201.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |first=|date=7 March 2023 |title=Japan destroys new H3 rocket after lift-off as second-stage engine fails |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/2023/03/07/japan-h3-rocket-launch-failure/ |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=The National |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307061733/https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/2023/03/07/japan-h3-rocket-launch-failure/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Andrew Jones published |date=7 March 2023 |title=Japan's new H3 rocket fails on 1st test flight, advanced Earth observation satellite lost |url=https://www.space.com/japan-h3-rocket-fails-1st-test-flight |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=Space.com |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307064904/https://www.space.com/japan-h3-rocket-fails-1st-test-flight |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=YAMAGUCHI |first=MARI |date=7 March 2023 |title=Japan launches H3 rocket, destroys it over 2nd stage failure |url=https://www.timesunion.com/news/politics/article/japan-launches-h3-rocket-destroys-it-over-2nd-17823843.php |access-date=7 March 2023 |website=Times Union |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307061736/https://www.timesunion.com/news/politics/article/japan-launches-h3-rocket-destroys-it-over-2nd-17823843.php |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=7 March 2023 |title=Japanese rocket and disaster-management satellite destroyed in space after engine failure|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-07/japan-blows-up-rocket-after-engine-failure-in-space/102065166 |access-date=18 March 2023 |archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318013610/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-07/japan-blows-up-rocket-after-engine-failure-in-space/102065166 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=7 March 2023 |title=Hopes crushed as next-gen rocket explodes |work=The Cairns Post |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/space/japans-new-h3-rocket-fails-again-forced-to-selfdestruct/news-story/fdf1568c4084557cfc84f17eb112a25b |access-date=18 March 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Japan Launches H3 Rocket, Destroys It Over 2nd-Stage Failure |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/japan-launches-h3-rocket-destroys-it-over-2nd-stage-failure/ |access-date=18 March 2023 |website=thediplomat.com|archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318013613/https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/japan-launches-h3-rocket-destroys-it-over-2nd-stage-failure/ |url-status=live }}
; TF2
On 17 February 2024, JAXA finally successfully launched the second testing rocket which has the same configuration as the first one, H3-22S, and the second stage reached the desired orbit.{{cite web | url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240216/k10014360921000.html | title=「H3」ロケット2号機 打ち上げ成功 前回の失敗乗り越える {{pipe}} NHK | date=17 February 2024 }}
; TF3
The Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 “DAICHI-4” (ALOS-4) was successfully orbited by the third H3 Launch Vehicle (H3 F3) on 1 July 2024.{{cite news |url=https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2024/07/20240701-1_e.html |title=JAXA | Launch Result of the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 "DAICHI-4" (ALOS-4) aboard the third H3 Launch Vehicle (H3 F3) }}
;; TF4
On 4 November 2024 the $50 million H3 launch orbited DSN-3, also known as Kirameki 3, a geostationary communications satellite in the X band, to be used for Japanese military communications.{{cite news |url=https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7083 |title=H3-22S | Kirameki 3 }}
= Future launches =
Notes
{{Reflist|group=Note}}
References
{{reflist|refs=
}}
External links
{{commons category|H3 (rocket)}}
- [http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/rockets/h3/ JAXA H3 English page]
- [https://www.jaxa.jp/projects/pr/brochure/pdf/01/rocket09.pdf JAXA H3 pamphlet]
- [https://global.jaxa.jp/activity/pr/jaxas/pdf/jaxatoday010_A3.pdf JAXA TODAY No. 10]
{{Portal bar|Spaceflight}}
{{Mitsubishi Heavy Industries}}
{{Japanese launch systems}}
{{Expendable launch systems}}