Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Vice President Masashi Okada attends a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025, after a Japanese H3 rocket failed to deliver the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into the target orbit.

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Masashi Okada attends a press conference on Dec. 22, 2025, after an H3 rocket failure the same day at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

JAXA project manager Okada

JAXA project manager Okada

Screenshot shows Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Masashi Okada speaking at an online press conference on March 7, 2023, after an H3 rocket launch failure the same day at Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

JAXA project manager Okada

JAXA project manager Okada

Screenshot shows Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Masashi Okada speaking at an online press conference on March 7, 2023, after an H3 rocket launch failure the same day at Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Japan's H3 rocket launch aborted

Japan's H3 rocket launch aborted

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Masashi Okada meets the press at Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 17, 2023, after the launch of the nation's H3 rocket was aborted earlier in the day.

Japan's H3 rocket launch aborted

Japan's H3 rocket launch aborted

Screenshot shows Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Masashi Okada in tears during an online press conference on Feb. 17, 2023, after the launch of the nation's H3 rocket was aborted earlier in the day at Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Japan's H3 rocket launch aborted

Japan's H3 rocket launch aborted

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Masashi Okada meets the press at Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 17, 2023, after the launch of the nation's H3 rocket was aborted earlier in the day.