Japan Launch of New H3 Rocket Fails After Lift-off

8 March 2023 01:16

Japan’s space agency intentionally destroyed a new H3 rocket moments into its launch on Tuesday after the ignition for the second stage of the country's first new rocket series in more than two decades failed.

Coming three weeks after an aborted launch due to a separate glitch the H3's failure was a setback for Japan’s space program and possibly for its missile detection program.

The rocket was carrying an advanced land observation satellite tasked primarily with earth observation and data collection for disaster response and an experimental infrared sensor that can monitor military activity, including missile launches.

The H3 rocket with a white head, blasted off and soared into the blue sky from the Tanegashima space center in Southern Japan.