Final Unit of H2A Successfully Launches Global Warming Monitor Satellite in Orbit, New Generation H3 Standing By

 

June 29, 2025

H2A Rocket Unit 50 launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 1:33 a.m. on the 29th

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries launched the final H2A rocket, the 50th in the series, early on Saturday, placing the “Ibuki GW” satellite, which monitors greenhouse gases, into its target orbit in space.

This marks the 49th successful launch out of 50 attempts. After more than 20 years of supporting Japan's space development, the H2A rocket has concluded its mission with a successful final launch, passing the baton to its successor, the H3 rocket. 

The H2A rocket No. 50 was launched at 1:33 a.m. on the 29th from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.

The separation of the solid rocket boosters and the fairing, which protects the satellite from high temperatures and vibrations, as well as the combustion of the second-stage engine, proceeded as planned. Approximately 16 minutes later, the “Ibuki GW” was separated and successfully placed into its target orbit in space.

The H2A is a large-scale core rocket developed as the successor to the H2.It completed its first launch in 2001 and has since achieved success in all launches except for the sixth mission in 2003.

It has been responsible for launching numerous satellites essential to Japan's national security and social infrastructure, including information-gathering satellites and weather satellites operated by the Cabinet Secretariat, as well as the asteroid probe “Hayabusa 2” and the lunar probe “SLIM (Slim),” which achieved Japan's first lunar landing.