TOKYO – Japan has decided to postpone the launch of an H3 rocket that was scheduled for Feb 1, as the investigation of the failed launch of its previous H3 rocket is still ongoing, the country’s space agency said Wednesday.
The new launch date for the ninth H3 rocket, which will carry a satellite for Japan’s seven-satellite system, has not been determined, (JAXA) said in a statement.
On Dec 22, JAXA’s eighth H3 Rocket failed to place the satellite “Michibiki No 5” into the planned orbit, resulting in a launch failure.
“We have been committing all our resources and efforts to investigating the cause of the launch failure. The new launch schedule will be announced once confirmed,” JAXA said.
The Japanese government aims to create a seven-orbiter geolocation system capable of providing positioning information without relying on foreign satellites. Currently, five satellites are in orbit.