JAXA to conduct third launch of new flagship H3 rocket

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, said on Friday they will conduct the third launch of the country's new flagship H3 rocket on 30th June. Liftoff is scheduled for shortly after noon from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture of southwestern Japan. The rocket will carry the Earth observation satellite Daichi-4.

The satellite will be used to assess damage during disasters and swiftly detect changes related to volcanic activity. JAXA and Mitsubishi Electric jointly developed this satellite at a cost of about 32 billion yen. The H3 is scheduled to replace the current mainstay rocket H2A, which is set to retire after its final launch in fiscal 2024.