The Japanese space agency blew up their new rocket just after launch
Jacinta Bowler
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) new rocket failed its first test flight, issuing a destruct command after it’s second stage ignition was unsuccessful.
Although the mission started off strong, 5 minutes and 27 seconds after lift-off, the command was sent for the rocket to separate and the second ignition to start.
However, at this point the rocket – called the H3 launch vehicle – was dropping in velocity, and it was assumed that the second stage ignition was to blame.
Not long after this, the destruct command was sent, and the rocket was destroyed in the air.
The explosion destroyed not only the launch vehicle, but also a satellite that was on board called the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-3 (ALOS-3), an optical satellite would have delivered high resolution satellite images of Japan.
Japan’s new flagship rocket, the H3 launch vehicle, lifts off from Tanegashima Space Center on March 6, 2023. (Image credit: JAXA via YouTube)
This was JAXA’s second attempt at the launch of the spacecraft, with the first attempt earlier in February being aborted due to an electrical system issue.
Jacinta Bowler
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) new rocket failed its first test flight, issuing a destruct command after it’s second stage ignition was unsuccessful.
Although the mission started off strong, 5 minutes and 27 seconds after lift-off, the command was sent for the rocket to separate and the second ignition to start.
However, at this point the rocket – called the H3 launch vehicle – was dropping in velocity, and it was assumed that the second stage ignition was to blame.
Not long after this, the destruct command was sent, and the rocket was destroyed in the air.
The explosion destroyed not only the launch vehicle, but also a satellite that was on board called the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-3 (ALOS-3), an optical satellite would have delivered high resolution satellite images of Japan.
Japan’s new flagship rocket, the H3 launch vehicle, lifts off from Tanegashima Space Center on March 6, 2023. (Image credit: JAXA via YouTube)
This was JAXA’s second attempt at the launch of the spacecraft, with the first attempt earlier in February being aborted due to an electrical system issue.
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Summary
Japanese rocket H3 launch vehicle, operated by JAXA, failed its first test flight on March 6, 2023. The failure occurred during the second stage ignition, causing the rocket to descend in velocity and triggering a destruct command. The incident resulted in the destruction of both the rocket and