(ORDO NEWS) — The launch of the new H3 series flagship rocket was aborted on Friday after its auxiliary boosters failed to fire, the Japanese space agency said.
The rocket carried an observation satellite and an experimental infrared sensor that could detect rocket launches.
The countdown has begun. During a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency live broadcast, white smoke was seen rising from the H3 main engine. But a couple of booster boosters subsequently failed.
“I know that many people have been looking forward to this day. I am so sorry and I am extremely sorry and disappointed myself,” JAXA Mission Chief Masashi Okada said at a press conference, wiping away tears.
Okada called it an aborted launch rather than a crash because the launch was paused during the countdown.
The start of H3 was postponed from the beginning of the week due to the weather. Prior to this, the launch of the rocket was postponed from 2020 due to delays in the development of the engine.
The rocket was supposed to put into orbit an advanced ground observation satellite, whose main task is to observe the Earth and collect data for disaster response and mapping.
The H3 also carried an infrared sensor developed by the Department of Defense that can track military activity, including missile launches.
Okada said the ignition of the SE-9 main engine was successful, but the subsequent electrical signal to ignite the pair of SRB-3 auxiliary boosters was not sent after an unidentified anomaly was detected in the process.
He said the problem was not with the engines, but most likely with the electrical system of the first stage.
“We are investigating the cause as soon as possible and will do our best to try again,” Okada said. He did not give a timeline, but said he hoped to resolve the issue and make another attempt before the current launch window closes on March 10.
The $1.5 billion H3 missile was jointly developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It is to be the successor to the H-2A missile, which is due to retire after its 50th launch.
The H3, which is about 60 meters long, can accommodate more satellites and other payloads than the previous H-2A model, while cutting its launch cost in half by simplifying design, manufacturing and operation.
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