November 4、2024
JAXA
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries launched the fourth unit of H3, Japan’s domestic developed launch vehicle, from the Tanegashima Space Cente at 3:48 p.m today. The launch was a success, and the Defense Communication Satellite "Kirameki 3" was injected into orbit.
It was the third consecutive successful launch for the H3 rocket since the second launch. The SRB-3 auxiliary booster was separated about three minutes after liftoff.
Thereafter, the launch went smoothly, with the completion of the first stage engine burn, separation of the first and second stages, and two burns of the second stage engine, after which the payload, Kirameki 3, was separated and injected into a geostationary transfer orbit, an orbit intermediate to the geostationary orbit.
The Kirameki 3, an X-band defense communications satellite for the Ministry of Defense, will be used for information and communications such as command and control, which is important for the operation of the Self-Defense Forces' units.
The first and second Kirameki 3 satellites have already been launched, and the launch of the third satellite will establish a three-satellite system. The Kirameki series is characterized by broadband communications capable of transmitting and receiving image and video data, and is useful for secure communications during overseas operations, etc.
The cost of the development and operation of the No. 3 launch vehicle was approximately 70 billion yen. ■
