Japan's H3 rocket launch fails after engine issues

TOKYO - A Japanese H3 rocket failed to place the satellite "Michibiki No. 5" into its intended orbit after liftoff on Monday, the science ministry said.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched its eighth H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 10:51 am local time, but the second-stage engine "experienced a premature end of engine burn," according to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, which set up a task force the same day.

"It is regrettable that we were unable to insert Michibiki No. 5 into the planned orbit, resulting in a launch failure," said State Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Shigeki Kobayashi, who is also head of the task force. "A thorough investigation into the cause is necessary."

The space agency is assessing the situation and investigating the cause of the engine's premature cutoff.

The H3 rocket carried the Japanese-made "Michibiki No. 5" satellite system, designed to enhance GPS accuracy for smartphones, car navigation systems, and other location-based services. The current system consists of five satellites orbiting over Japan, aiding not only in navigation but also in emergency earthquake alerts in areas with no communication signals.

The Japanese government aims to establish a seven-satellite system capable of providing positioning information without relying on foreign satellites. The "Michibiki No. 5" is the sixth of such missions.

The launch of the H3 rocket was originally scheduled for Dec 7, but it was rescheduled to last Wednesday and then Monday after abnormalities were detected in the rocket and ground facilities.