Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced on September 4 its revised plan to launch the H-IIA rocket carrying a moon lander, following a postponement last month due to unfavorable wind conditions. The new launch is scheduled for September 7 morning, marking an important milestone for Japan's space exploration ambitions.
The rocket is set to lift off from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Tanegashima Space Centre, located in southern Japan, at precisely 8:42 a.m. JST (Wednesday 2342 GMT). The launch window will remain open until September 15, offering flexibility in case of any unforeseen challenges.
This rescheduled launch comes exactly a week after the previous attempt, which was intended to carry Japan's first spacecraft to land on the moon but was thwarted by high winds.
The H-IIA rocket is a joint project between JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and has been a cornerstone of Japan's space program since its inception in 2001. With an impressive track record of 45 successful launches out of 46 attempts, the rocket has demonstrated reliability and precision in delivering payloads to space. However, the recent setback of JAXA's new medium-lift H3 rocket in March led to the postponement of H-IIA No. 47 as the agency sought to investigate the cause of the failure.
In a bid to further accelerate Japan's aerospace development initiatives, reports suggest that the government may provide JAXA with substantial financial support in fiscal year 2024. As per the Yomiuri newspaper, Japan is considering a subsidy of approximately 10 bn yen ($68.4 mn) for JAXA.
This financial assistance would enable JAXA to allocate funds to companies and universities involved in the development of satellites, rockets, and lunar exploration technologies. It reflects Japan's commitment to advancing its space capabilities and fostering innovation in the aerospace sector.
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