An H-3 rocket carrying the Earth-observation satellite Daichi-4 is launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on July 1. (The Asahi Shimbun)

Photo/Illutration The third H-3 rocket is launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on July 1. (Masaru Komiyaji)

Japan’s new and lower-cost flagship H-3 rocket delivered its payload after a successful launch from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on July 1.

The Earth-observation satellite Daichi-4 was sent into orbit following the third launch of the H-3.

The first launch failed, but the second one succeeded.

The latest attempt was the first involving an operational H-3 and not a test rocket, and it was seen as a test of the true value of Japan’s space program.

The H-3 generation of rockets was jointly developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

To reduce launch costs, H-3s are made using many parts commonly found in automobiles and aircraft, while 3-D printers are also utilized.

By demonstrating price competitiveness, JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy hope to capture international demand for satellite launches.

Production of H-3 rockets will be transferred solely to Mitsubishi Heavy in the future.

The fourth and fifth H-3 rockets are scheduled for launch in fiscal 2024, with the eventual goal of launching six H-3 rockets per year.

The Daichi-4 satellite is the successor to the Daichi-2 satellite, which is currently in use. The Daichi-4 will be used to assess natural disasters, among other applications.

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