Japan launches advanced Earth-observing satellite on 3rd flight of H3 rocket

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Japan launches advanced Earth-observing satellite on 3rd flight of H3 rocket


Japan’s new H3 rocket flew for the third time ever tonight (June 30).

The H3 launched the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 (ALOS-4; also known as DAICHI-4) from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center tonight, rising off the pad at 11:06 p.m. EDT (0306 GMT and 12:06 p.m. Japan Standard Time on July 1).

ALOS-4 was deployed into low Earth orbit as planned about 16 minutes after liftoff, commentators said on the webcast provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The H3 rocket carries ALOS-4 into the sky. (Image credit: JAXA)

The two-stage H3 was developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It’s envisioned to be Japan’s workhorse medium-lift rocket, taking those reins from the H-2A, which is set to retire later this year after more than 20 years of service.

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