Launch of H2A rocket with reconnaissance satellite by Japan gets delayed once again

The scheduled launch of an H2A rocket carrying an information-gathering satellite from a space centre on a south-western Japan island was postponed on Monday for a second time, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. said, on this occasion due to strong winds.

The manufacturer, Mitsubishi Heavy, said it decided to suspend the launch of rocket No. 49 from the centre on Tanegashima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture because of unsuitable wind conditions in the upper atmosphere. A new date has yet to be fixed.

The rocket carrying the government reconnaissance satellite was initially planned to depart Wednesday but had to be postponed due to expected bad weather.

Should the launch need to be postponed further, it may affect the lift-off of the H3 rocket No. 4 scheduled for Oct. 20. The H3 is the successor to the H2A, Japan’s main liquid-fuel rocket.

In July, Japan successfully launched the H3 rocket No. 3 carrying an Earth observation satellite, in a boost to the country’s space program following a failed debut of the vehicle last year.

The operation of the H2A is expected to end in fiscal 2024 through next March with the launch of rocket No. 50. The next-generation H3 rocket is then set to replace it.