H3 (rocket)

H3 Launch Vehicle
	A model of the H3 Launch Vehicle
Function	Medium-lift launch vehicle
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Country of origin	Japan
Cost per launch	US$50 million (H3-303S)
Size
Height	63 m (207 ft)
Diameter	5.27 m (17.3 ft)
Mass	574,000 kg (1,265,000 lb) (Gross for H3-24L Variant)
Stages	2
Capacity
Payload to SSO
Mass	4000 kg (H3-30S/L)
Payload to GTO; (∆Ｖ=1500 m/s)
Mass	4,000–7,900 kg (8,800–17,400 lb)(H3-24S/L)
Launch history
Status	Currently being manufactured
Launch sites	Tanegashima, LA-Y
First flight	2021 (planned)
Boosters
No. boosters	0, 2 or 4
Engines	SRB-3
Thrust	2,158 kN (485,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	283.6 seconds (2.781 km/s)
Burn time	105 seconds
Propellant	Solid
First stage
Engines	2 or 3 LE-9
Thrust	2,942, or 4,413 kN (661,000, or 992,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	425 seconds (4.17 km/s)
Propellant	LH2 / LOX
Second stage
Engines	1 LE-5B-3
Thrust	137 kN (31,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	448 seconds (4.39 km/s)
Propellant	LH2 / LOX

The H3 Launch Vehicle is an expendable launch system in development in Japan. H3 rockets are liquid-propellant rockets with strap-on solid rocket boosters and are planned to be launched from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. Mitsubishi and JAXA are responsible for the design, manufacture, and operation of the H3.

As of July 2015, the minimum configuration is to carry a payload of up to 4000 kg into sun-synchronous orbit for about 5 billion yen, and the maximum configuration is to carry more than 6500 kg into geostationary transfer orbit.^[2] The H3-24 variant will deliver more than 6000 kg of payload to lunar transfer orbit.

The first H3 is planned to be launched in the fiscal year 2021.^[6]^[7]

Development[]

The development of the H3 was authorized by the Japanese government on 17 May 2013.^[8] 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 US$50−65 million.^[9]^{[better source needed]}

The newly developed LE-9 engine is the most important factor in achieving both cost reduction and improved safety and thrust simultaneously. 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, in principle, it is not suitable for large thrust and there is no precedent, so the development of the LE-9 engine with a large thrust of 1,471 kN is the most challenging and important development element.^[10]

Firing tests of the LE-9 first-stage engine began in April 2017.^[11] In August 2018, the first tests of the solid rocket boosters were carried out.^[12]

In earlier plans, the first H3 was 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.^[2]

On 11 September 2020, the launch of the first H3 was rescheduled to fiscal year 2021, the second launch to FY2022, citing technical problem regarding the first stage engine.^[5]^[7]^[13]

Vehicle description[]

The H3 Launch Vehicle is a two-stage rocket. The first stage uses liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as propellants and carries zero, two or four strap-on solid rocket boosters (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.^[14] 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]^[15]

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.^[16]

As of November 2018, three configurations are planned: H3-30, H3-22, and H3-24.^[16]

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 geosynchronous transfer orbit of 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.^[16]

As of October 2019, MHI is considering contributing two variants for the Lunar 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.^[17] It would have a payload capacity of 28,300 kg to low earth orbit.^[18]

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.^[19]

As of 2018, MHI is aiming to price the H3 launch service on par with SpaceX's Falcon 9.^[19]

Planned launches[]

Sources: Japanese Cabinet^[20]

Date and time (UTC)	Flight	Type	Launch site	Payload(s)	Outcome
2021 (TBD)^[5]	TF1	H3-22S^[6]	LP2, Tanegashima		Planned
2022 (TBD)^[5]	TF2	H3	LP2, Tanegashima		Planned
2022 (TBD)	F3	H3-24L		HTV-X1	Planned
2022 (TBD)	F4	H3			Planned
2022 (TBD)		H3		Inmarsat	Planned
2023 (TBD)		H3			Planned
2023 (TBD)		H3-24L		HTV-X2	Planned
2023 (TBD)		H3		Lunar Polar Exploration Mission	Planned
2023 (TBD)		H3		QZS-5	Planned
2023 (TBD)		H3		QZS-6	Planned
2024 (TBD)		H3		QZS-7	Planned
2024 (TBD)		H3-24L		MMX	Planned
2025 (TBD)		H3		IGS	Planned
2025 (TBD)		H3		IGS-Optical 9	Planned
2026 (TBD)		H3		IGS	Planned
2027 (TBD)		H3		JDRS-2	Planned
2027 (TBD)		H3		IGS	Planned
2027 (TBD)		H3		Successor	Planned
2028 (TBD)		H3		IGS-Radar 9	Planned
2028 (TBD)		H3		IGS	Planned
2028 (TBD)		H3		Successor	Planned
2028 (TBD)		H3		LiteBIRD	Planned
2029 (TBD)		H3		Himawari Successor	Planned
2029 (TBD)		H3		IGS-Optical 10	Planned
2029 (TBD)		H3		IGS-Radar 10	Planned

Notes[]

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[]

^ Clark, Stephen (19 September 2017). "Japan's MHI wins deal to launch satellite for Inmarsat". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f 新型基幹ロケットの開発状況について (PDF) (in Japanese). 2 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "H3 Launch Vehicle Brochure" (PDF).
^ Space News
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d "Change of Schedule for the H3 Launch Vehicle Project". JAXA. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b H3ロケットの開発状況について (PDF). 宇宙開発利用部会 (in Japanese). 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Jones, Andrew (27 November 2020). "Japan's new H3 launcher delayed by rocket engine component issues". Space News. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
^ Staff writers (19 May 2013). "JAXA H3 booster". China Post. Archived from the original on 9 September 2013.
^ http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21491.15
^ Shinya Torishima (24 September 2020). "H3ロケット開発を襲った"魔物"とは？、エンジンに見つかった技術的課題" (in Japanese). Mynavi news. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020.
^ LE-9 燃焼試験 (in Japanese). JAXA. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
^ "Test-firing of booster for H3 rocket". NHK World. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
^ Messier, Doug (11 September 2020). "JAXA Delays H3 Rocket's Maiden Flight". Parabolic Arc. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
^ "Development of the LE-X Engine" (PDF). Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review. 48 (4). December 2011.
^ 2020年：H3ロケットの目指す姿 (PDF) (in Japanese). JAXA. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c H3ロケットの開発状況について (PDF) (in Japanese). JAXA. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
^ Space News
^ Henry, Caleb (25 October 2019). "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries mulls upgraded H3 rocket variants for lunar missions". SpaceNews. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Henry, Caleb (12 July 2018). "Blue Origin to offer dual launch with New Glenn after fifth mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 5 August 2018. H3 is on track for a 2020 debut with a price meant to be on par with SpaceX's Falcon 9.
^ "宇宙基本計画工程表 (令和2年度改訂)" (PDF) (in Japanese). Cabinet Office. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2021.

External links[]

[sfn20170919-1] Clark, Stephen (19 September 2017). "Japan's MHI wins deal to launch satellite for Inmarsat". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 20 September 2017.

[jaxa20150702-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f 新型基幹ロケットの開発状況について (PDF) (in Japanese). 2 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.

[rocket09-3] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "H3 Launch Vehicle Brochure" (PDF).

[4] Space News

[jaxa20200911-5] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d "Change of Schedule for the H3 Launch Vehicle Project". JAXA. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.

[jaxa20191210-6] Jump up to: ^a ^b H3ロケットの開発状況について (PDF). 宇宙開発利用部会 (in Japanese). 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.

[sn20201127-7] Jump up to: ^a ^b Jones, Andrew (27 November 2020). "Japan's new H3 launcher delayed by rocket engine component issues". Space News. Retrieved 13 December 2020.

[cp20130519-8] Staff writers (19 May 2013). "JAXA H3 booster". China Post. Archived from the original on 9 September 2013.

[9] ttp://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21491.15

[Mynavi20200924-10] Shinya Torishima (24 September 2020). "H3ロケット開発を襲った"魔物"とは？、エンジンに見つかった技術的課題" (in Japanese). Mynavi news. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020.

[11] LE-9 燃焼試験 (in Japanese). JAXA. Retrieved 21 January 2020.

[nhksrbtest-12] "Test-firing of booster for H3 rocket". NHK World. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.

[pa20200911-13] Messier, Doug (11 September 2020). "JAXA Delays H3 Rocket's Maiden Flight". Parabolic Arc. Retrieved 31 March 2021.

[mhireview2011-14] "Development of the LE-X Engine" (PDF). Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Technical Review. 48 (4). December 2011.

[jaxa20150708-15] 2020年：H3ロケットの目指す姿 (PDF) (in Japanese). JAXA. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.

[jaxa20181129_h3-16] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c H3ロケットの開発状況について (PDF) (in Japanese). JAXA. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.

[17] Space News

[18] Henry, Caleb (25 October 2019). "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries mulls upgraded H3 rocket variants for lunar missions". SpaceNews. Retrieved 13 January 2020.

[sn20180712-19] Jump up to: ^a ^b Henry, Caleb (12 July 2018). "Blue Origin to offer dual launch with New Glenn after fifth mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 5 August 2018. H3 is on track for a 2020 debut with a price meant to be on par with SpaceX's Falcon 9.

[20] "宇宙基本計画工程表 (令和2年度改訂)" (PDF) (in Japanese). Cabinet Office. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2021.

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show v t Orbital launch systems
List of orbital launch systems Comparison of orbital launch systems
Current	Angara A5 Antares 230+ Ariane 5 Atlas V Ceres-1 Delta IV Heavy Electron Epsilon Falcon 9 Block 5 Falcon Heavy GSLV Mk II Mk III H-IIA Hyperbola-1 Jielong 1 Kuaizhou 1 1A 11^† Kaituozhe 2 LauncherOne Long March 2C 2D 2F 3A 3B/E 3C 4B 4C 5 5B 6 7 7A 8 11 Minotaur I IV V C OS-M1^† Pegasus XL Proton-M PSLV Qased Rocket 3^† Safir Shavit Simorgh^† Soyuz-2 2.1a / STA 2.1b / STB 2-1v Unha Vega Zenit 3SL 3SLB 3F Zhuque-1^†
In development	Agnibaan Amur Angara 1.2 Antariksh - 1 Ariane 6 Bloostar Chetak Cyclone-4M Eris Firefly Alpha Beta H3 Hyperbola-2 Irtysh Kuaizhou 21 31 Long March 921 rocket 9 Miura 5 Neutron New Glenn New Line 1 Nuri OS-M2 OS-M4 Orbex Prime Phoenix SLV-1T SLV-VT SLS Soyuz-7 SSLV Starship Terran 1 Terran R Vega C Vega E Vikram - I Vikram - II Vikram - III Vulcan Zero Zhuque-2
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Classes	Sounding rocket Small-lift launch vehicle Medium-lift launch vehicle Heavy-lift launch vehicle Super heavy-lift launch vehicle
This Template lists historical, current, and future space rockets that at least once attempted (but not necessarily succeeded in) an orbital launch or that are planned to attempt such a launch in the future Symbol ^† indicates historical or current rockets that attempted orbital launches but did not ever succeed (never did or has performed a successful orbital launch)