H3 / launch vehicle
sourcingtypical 4/5 · 16 factsmedium-lift launch vehicleJPNactive
The H3 Launch Vehicle is an expendable launch system in development in Japan. H3 rockets are liquid-propellant rockets with strap-on solid rocket boosters and are planned to be launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. Mitsubishi and the JAXA have been responsible for the design, manufacture, and operation of the H3.
key details
faq
Who builds H3?
H3 is built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
How many times has H3 flown?
H3 has flown 9 times. (source, as of 2026-08-13)
When did H3 first fly?
H3 first flew on 2023-03-07. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
Is H3 reusable?
H3 is not reusable. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
facts
providerMitsubishi Heavy Industries
countryJPN
classmedium-lift launch vehicle
payload to LEO (kg)16000
reusableno
first flight2023-03-07
flights total9
flights successful7
last flight2026-08-11
next flight2026-10-31
statusactive
price per launch (USD)50000000
payload to GTO (kg)6500
height (m)63
diameter (m)5.27
mass (kg)574000
events
- notable2026-08-11JAXA launches Michibiki 7 navigation satellite on H3 rocket's 9th flight
- notable2026-07-29ispace switches to Japan's H3 rocket for 2028 lunar lander mission
- notable2026-07-11JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy fly RV-X reusable rocket testbed on first hop
- notable2026-06-12JAXA flies H3 in its boosterless 30 configuration with six satellites aboard
timeline
- 20262026-08-11JAXA launches QZS-7 (Michibiki 7) on H3's ninth flight (source, as of 2026-08-13)
- 2026-06-12JAXA flies H3 Launch Vehicle flight No.6, its 30 configuration test vehicle (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 20252025-12-22JAXA loses QZS-5 after H3's eighth flight suffers second-stage engine failure (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 2025-10-26JAXA launches new cargo craft HTV-X1 on H3's seventh flight (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 20242024-07-01JAXA launches ALOS-4 on H3's third flight (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 2024-02-17JAXA flies H3's second test flight, reaching orbit as planned (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 20232023-03-07JAXA destroys H3 on its maiden flight after second-stage ignition failure (source, as of 2026-07-12)
sources
[1] ll.thespacedevs.com ↗
provider2026-07-05country2026-07-05reusable2026-07-05first flight2026-07-05next flight2026-08-13status2026-07-05price per launch (USD)2026-07-05payload to GTO (kg)2026-07-08height (m)2026-07-08diameter (m)2026-07-08mass (kg)2026-07-08
[2] global.jaxa.jp ↗
flights totalfirst-party2026-08-13flights successfulfirst-party2026-08-13last flightfirst-party2026-08-13
[3] en.wikipedia.org ↗
classwikipedia2026-07-05payload to LEO (kg)wikipedia2026-07-05