A staff member from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was recently photographed next to the top of the first stage of a H3 rocket at the company's Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works Tobishima Plant in Aichi Prefecture. This event marked a significant milestone for Japan's space exploration efforts, as the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are optimistic about the commercial prospects of the H3 rocket after its recent successful flight amid a highly competitive market led by SpaceX.
The H3 rocket project, managed by Mayuki Niitsu from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, aims to cater to the increasing demand for communication, observation, and security satellites by planning at least six launches annually. Despite the impressive success rate of its predecessor, the H-2A, its high launch cost limited its competitiveness globally, prompting the development of the H3 rocket to address this issue and offer a more cost-effective solution for launching payloads into space. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plans to eventually take over production and launch operations of the H3 rocket from JAXA, aiming to make it a commercially viable option in the market.
During a news conference, Niitsu acknowledged the dominance of SpaceX in the current market while emphasizing high expectations for the H3 rocket as a competitive alternative. The recent successful orbit achievement and deployment of observation satellites marked a significant milestone for the H3, especially after a failed first launch last year. Despite the initial challenges, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries remains optimistic about the H3 rocket's potential to carry larger payloads at a reduced launch cost compared to its predecessor, with hopes of achieving better price competitiveness after a series of launches. Additionally, they plan to focus on offering flexible launch schedules and meeting clients' diverse needs to enhance their competitiveness in the market.