Japan successfully launched its new H3 rocket today, a welcome boost after a failed attempt last year.
The rocket took off from the Tanegashima Space Center in the southern part of the Japanese archipelago, carrying one fake and two miniature real satellites into orbit.
With the successful launch, the Japanese space agency JAXA wants to dispel doubts about the reliability of its new launch vehicle. JAXA said the rocket entered its planned orbit after launch.
During the first launch attempt last year, the rocket's second stage propulsion system failed to fire. Since the mission had no chance of success, the rocket self-destructed a few minutes after takeoff.
The H3 is the successor to the reliable H2A rocket and Japan's first new development of its own large launch vehicle in about 30 years, Reuters writes. The H3 is considered more powerful, cheaper and safer than the H2A, which is due to be phased out in 2024 or early 2025.
Last year's failure came after a series of delays in the rocket's development. Rocket No. 2, which was launched on Saturday, had an improved ignition system after problems with the previous rocket.
Japan wants to use the new H3 rocket to gain a stronger foothold in the lucrative and increasingly competitive business of launching satellites. The rocket, which has been in development for eight years, is also intended to send an unmanned cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the US-led Artemis program.
Bonus video:
