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H3 (rocket)

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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]

H3
A model of the H3 Launch Vehicle
FunctionMedium-lift launch vehicle
ManufacturerMitsubishi Heavy Industries
Country of originJapan
Cost per launchUS$50 million (H3-30S)[1]
Size
Height63 m (207 ft)[2]
Diameter5.27 m (17.3 ft)[2]
Mass574,000 kg (1,265,000 lb) for H3-24L[3]
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to SSO
Mass4,000 kg (8,800 lb) for H3-30[2]
Payload to GTO
Mass4,000–7,900 kg (8,800–17,400 lb) for H3-24[2][4]
Associated rockets
FamilyH-II family
Based onH-IIB
Launch history
StatusActive
Launch sitesTanegashima, LA-Y2
Total launches4
Success(es)3
Failure(s)1
First flight7 March 2023
Last flight4 November 2024
Type of passengers/cargoALOS-4
Boosters – SRB-3
No. boosters0, 2 or 4
Maximum thrust2,158 kN (485,000 lbf) each[3]
Total thrust4,316 or 8,632 kN (970,000 or 1,941,000 lbf)
Specific impulse283.6 s (2.781 km/s)
Burn time105 seconds
First stage
Powered by2 or 3 × LE-9
Maximum thrust2,944 or 4,416 kN (662,000 or 993,000 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
[edit on Wikidata]

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

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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) was 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]

Vehicle description

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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.[15] 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][16]

Variants

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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.[17] 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.[18] Manufacturing of W-type fairing is contracted to RUAG Space (now Beyond Gravity), whereas other types are manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.[19]

As of November 2018, three configurations are planned: H3-30, H3-22, and H3-24.[17]

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.[17]

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.[20] It would have a payload capacity of 28,300 kg (62,400 lb) to low Earth orbit.[21]

Launch services

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H3 will have a "dual-launch capability, but MHI is focused more on dedicated launches" in order to prioritize schedule assurance for customers.[22]

As of 2018, MHI is aiming to price the H3 launch service on par with SpaceX's Falcon 9.[22]

Launch history

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See also: List of H-II series and H3 launches § 2024

Sources: Japanese Cabinet[23]

Flight No. Date and time (UTC) Version Launch site Payload(s) Launch outcome
TF1 7 March 2023,
01:37:55[24]		 H3-22S[25] Tanegashima, LA-Y2 ALOS-3 Failure
TF2 17 February 2024,
00:22:55[26]		 H3-22S Tanegashima, LA-Y2 Vehicle Evaluation Payload (with rideshares: CE-SAT-1E / TIRSAT)[27] Success
F3 1 July 2024,
03:06:42[28]		 H3-22S Tanegashima, LA-Y2 ALOS-4 Success[29]
F4 4 November 2024, 06:48 H3-22S Tanegashima, LA-Y2 DSN-3 (Kirameki 3) Success

Future launches

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Date and time (UTC) Version Payload(s)
Q4 2024 H3-22S
F5		 QZS-6
JFY2025 (TBD)[30] H3-30S
F6		 Vehicle Evaluation Payload (with rideshares: PETREL / STARS-X / VERTECS / HORN L / HORN R / BRO-x)
September 2025[31] H3-24W
F7		 HTV-X1
JFY2025 (TBD) H3-22S
F8		 QZS-5
JFY2025 (TBD) H3-22S
F9		 QZS-7
JFY2025 (TBD) H3-24L
F10		 ETS-IX
JFY2026 (TBD) H3-24W HTV-X2
2026 (TBD) H3-24L MMX
JFY2026 (TBD) H3-24W HTV-X3
JFY2026 (TBD) H3 IGS-Optical Diversification 1
2026–28 (TBD) H3 LUPEX
JFY2027 (TBD) H3 IGS-Optical 9
JFY2027 (TBD) H3 IGS-Optical Diversification 2
2027 (TBD) H3 JDRS-2
2027 (TBD) H3 ALOS-3 Successor
2027 (TBD) H3 Eutelsat (TBD)[32]
March 2028 H3 MBR Explorer
JFY2028 (TBD) H3 Himawari 10
2028 (TBD) H3 ALOS-4 Successor
JFY2029 (TBD) H3 IGS-Radar Diversification 1
JFY2029 (TBD) H3 IGS-Optical 10
JFY2030 (TBD) H3 IGS-Radar Diversification 2
JFY2031 (TBD) H3 IGS-Radar 9
JFY2032 (TBD) H3 IGS-Optical Diversification Successor
JFY2032 (TBD) H3 LiteBIRD
JFY2033 (TBD) H3 IGS-Radar 10
JFY2033 (TBD) H3 IGS-Optical 11
(TBD) H3 Inmarsat (satellite TBD)[33]

TF1

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The first launch attempt on 17 February 2023 was aborted just before the SRB-3 boosters ignition, although the main engines were successfully ignited.[34][35][36]

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.[37] 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.[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46]

TF2

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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.[47]

Notes

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  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

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  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.
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  20. ^ Space News
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  26. ^ "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 15 February 2024]. NHK (in Japanese). 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  27. ^ Akiyama, Ayano (27 June 2023). H3試験機2号機「リスク承知」の相乗り小型衛星を選定 キヤノン電子地球観測衛星を搭載へ (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  28. ^ "Launch Result of the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 "DAICHI-4" (ALOS-4) aboard the third H3 Launch Vehicle (H3 F3)". JAXA. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  29. ^ "「H3」ロケット3号機 種子島宇宙センターから打ち上げ成功" ["H3" rocket No. 3 successfully launched from Tanegashima Space Center]. NHK (in Japanese). 1 July 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  30. ^ Sato, Toshiaki (27 September 2024). H3ロケット30形態試験機の打上げ計画及び超小型衛星相乗りの実施について (PDF). Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (in Japanese). Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  31. ^ "HTV-X1". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
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  33. ^ Henry, Caleb (6 December 2018). "Inmarsat books Japanese H3 rocket's first commercial launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
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  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ "Shiny New Rockets, Old Failed Rockets – Deep Space Updates March 7th". Scott Manley YouTube channel. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
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  40. ^ "Japan launches H3 rocket, destroys it over 2nd stage failure". news.yahoo.com. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
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  42. ^ 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.
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  47. ^ "「H3」ロケット2号機 打ち上げ成功 前回の失敗乗り越える | NHK". 17 February 2024.
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