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H-IIB304 / launch vehicle

sourcingtypical 4/5 · 15 facts
medium-lift launch vehicleJPNretired

H-IIB (H2B) is an expendable launch system used to launch H-II Transfer Vehicles (HTV, or Kounotori) towards the International Space Station. H-IIB rockets are liquid-fuelled with solid-fuel strap-on boosters and are launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. Mitsubishi and JAXA have been primarily responsible for design, manufacture, and operation of H-IIB.

(source, as of 2026-07-05)

key specs

payload to LEO //16,500 kgas of 2026-07-05
payload to GTO //8,000 kgas of 2026-07-10
height //56.6 mas of 2026-07-10
price per launch //$112,500,000as of 2026-07-05
flight record //9 / 9 (100.0% success)computed

figures describe the 304 configuration where sourced

faq

Who builds H-IIB?

H-IIB is built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. (source, as of 2026-07-05)

How many times has H-IIB flown?

H-IIB has flown 9 times. (source, as of 2026-07-05)

When did H-IIB first fly?

H-IIB first flew on 2009-09-10. (source, as of 2026-07-05)

Is H-IIB reusable?

H-IIB is not reusable. (source, as of 2026-07-05)