Japan’s space agency said damage sustained during flight caused last month’s failure of an H3 rocket launch, according to findings released as part of an ongoing investigation.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said the No. 8 H3 rocket was damaged shortly after liftoff when the payload fairing — the cover protecting the satellite — separated. The damage occurred in the section mounting the Michibiki No. 5 navigation satellite.
JAXA also said fuel tubing connected to the rocket’s second-stage engine was damaged, which is believed to have caused combustion to stop earlier than planned. The findings were presented in a progress report at a meeting of a subgroup of a science ministry panel reviewing the launch failure.
As a result of the structural damage, the satellite was no longer securely attached to the rocket’s second stage. When the first stage separated, the satellite detached and fell away from the launch vehicle.
Camera footage from the rocket shows the satellite falling after separation. JAXA said the satellite is believed to have fallen into the sea near Minamitorishima, a remote Tokyo-administered island in the Pacific Ocean, along with the rocket’s first stage.
JAXA said the investigation into the failure is continuing, and no timeline has been given for the next H3 launch attempt.
