Japan launches a climate change monitoring satellite on mainstay H2A rocket's last flight
Japan on Sunday launched a satellite to monitor greenhouse gas emissions using its mainstay H-2A rocket, which made its final flight before it is replaced by a new flagship designed to be more cost competitive in the global space market.
The H-2A rocket successfully lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan, carrying the GOSAT-GW satellite as part of Tokyo's effort to mitigate climate change. The satellite was released into orbit about 16 minutes later.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which operates the rocket launch, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, will hold a news conference later Sunday to give further details of the flight.
Sunday's launch marked the 50th and final flight for the H-2A, which has served as Japan's mainstay rocket to carry satellites and probes into space with a near-perfect record since its 2001 debut. After its retirement, it will be fully replaced by the H3, which is already in operation, as Japan's new main flagship.
The launch follows several days of delays because of malfunctioning of the rocket's electrical systems.
The GOSAT-GW, or Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle, is a third series in the mission to monitor carbon, methane and other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. It will start distributing data in about one year, officials said.
The liquid-fuel H-2A rocket with two solid-fuel sub-rockets developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has so far had 49 flights with a 98% success record, with only one failure in 2003. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has provided its launch operation since 2007.
H-2A successfully carried into space Japan's moon lander SLIM last year, and a popular Hayabusa2 spacecraft in 2014 to reach a distant asteroid, contributing to the country's space programs.
Japan sees a stable, commercially competitive space transport capability as key to its space program and national security, and has been developing two new flagship rockets as successors of the H-2A series — the larger H3 with Mitsubishi, and a much smaller Epsilon system with the aerospace unit of the heavy machinery maker IHI. It hopes to cater to diverse customer needs and improve its position in the growing satellite launch market.
The H3, is designed to carry larger payloads than the H-2A at about half its launch cost to be globally competitive, though officials say more cost reduction efforts are needed to achieve better price competitiveness in the global market.
The H3 has made four consecutive successful flights after a failed debut attempt in 2023, when the rocket had to be destroyed with its payload.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Blog
3 hours ago
- Auto Blog
Tuners Are Going To Love Toyota's Latest Overengineered Turbo Engine
Toyota Is Making Combustion Cleaner Toyota has long been claiming that there is no single path to carbon neutrality, arguing that cleaner combustion engines and hybrids need to bridge the gap to electric cars powered by renewable energy. With a back catalog of brilliant engines like the overengineered 2JZ, which is still revered 35 years after its 1JZ foundation was built, Toyota knows what it takes to beat the world's best, and its upcoming 1.5- (black top) and 2.0-liter (red top) four-cylinder engines appear poised to handle the weight of expectation with ease. According to Toyota engineers who spoke with German publication Auto Motor und Sport, the G20E (that's the 2.0-liter) is easily capable of exceeding the 400-450-horsepower figure of the mid-engine GR Yaris M concept: 'With a larger turbocharger, more than 600 hp is easily possible.' Numerous Potentially Imminent Sporty Applications Toyota has recently indicated that its sports cars could go hybrid, and with an engine this small and powerful supporting any electrification, that could be quite an exciting proposition. The MR2 is rumored to return with hybrid power, and a mid-engine sports car with a 600-hp thermal motor being complemented by an electric motor of another couple hundred horsepower could be quite a tantalizing entree to the forthcoming Lexus supercar. Toyota has confirmed that a new Celica is on the way, too, so there are plenty of applications for both new engines. The G16E-GTS turbocharged three-cylinder found in the production GR Yaris and its GR Corolla big brother already delivers in excess of 300 hp, so a detuned G20E (or even its 1.5-liter sibling) could be an immensely reliable – and likely even more fuel-efficient – replacement for both cars. It's also safe to assume that Toyota is considering putting this in the next GR86, since many buyers have clamored for the torque of a turbocharged engine, and if Toyota strengthens it further, it may even have a future in a pickup. Overengineered, Tuner-Friendly Engine Can Be Enlarged Toyota has reportedly been testing the engine in Lexus sedans, so it could be refined enough for a luxury application like the imminently departing IS. What really piques our interest, however, is a comment made by one of the engineers to the German publication: 'We left enough space between the cylinders so that the engine can be bored out considerably.' That's more good news for all the aftermarket tuners who will doubtless begin seeking to extract more power from the G20E the moment they get their grubby paws on it, but it also means that Toyota itself may well enlarge this four-cylinder to provide a smoother experience in cars that may otherwise have been powered by six-cylinder engines. Not that there's any reason to worry in that regard – reports out of Japan claim that, if BMW's B58 is dropped, Mazda will provide the straight-six for the next Supra. Although unconfirmed, this news seems credible since the G20E and its 1.5-liter sibling were not announced in isolation; Mazda and Subaru also presented rotary and boxer prototype powertrains when the G20E was revealed as part of the triarchy's 'Multipathway Approach,' announced almost exactly one year ago. The rush to create evermore efficient combustion engines may well be less frenetic with a collaborative approach to innovation. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr ‘plot £85million move for Liverpool's Luis Diaz' after handing Man Utd legend new deal
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr are prepared to pay Liverpool £85million for Luis Diaz, reports claim. The Saudi Pro League side are in hunt for fresh talent after handing Ronaldo the most lucrative contract in sporting history. 5 5 With two years remaining on his Anfield contract, Diaz opened the door to a surprise exit after confessing he was in talks with other clubs. The 28-year-old winger played a key role in Liverpool's title-winning season, contributing 17 goals and eight assists in 50 appearances across all competitions. Liverpool haven't offered Diaz a contract extension and he could be marginalised after the £116million arrival of club-record signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. According to a report by Okaz, Al-Nassr have set their sights on Diaz and are open to offering a staggering £85million. Journalist Ben Jacobs confirmed Al-Nassr's interest and hinted that while Liverpool currently have no intention of selling, such a huge bid could tempt the club's hierarchy to reconsider. The report did add that "the final decision is left to the player himself", with the Colombia international also strongly linked with cash-strapped Barcelona. Al-Nassr are planning a mega recruitment drive after missing out on Asian Champions League football next season and failing to win a title since Ronaldo, 40, joined from Manchester United in 2021. SunSport previously reported that Liverpool valued Diaz at £70million, so the club might be drawn in by banking £15million more. 5 CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS But SPORT have claimed that Barca are "convinced" that they will finally land Diaz when the second-half of the summer window opens after the Club World Cup. His girlfriend, Gera Ponce, posted an emotional Instagram message which some fans believed was a farewell. Man Utd open to Rasmus Hojlund offers LATEST with Italian giants keen | Transfers Exposed She wrote under a slideshow of photos showcasing Diaz's triumphs in the 2024-25 season: "From the first day we arrived, we felt first hand what it means to be a part of this club. "We knew the slogan was 'You'll Never Walk Alone', but to hear them sing it with so much passion, support us every moment and show such unconditional love... confirmed to us that here you never walk alone. "This fanbase doesn't just support, it feels. And what you have made my boyfriend and our entire family feel is something we carry in our souls." But Liverpool boss Arne Slot is eager to keep Diaz for next season's title defence after his ever-growing £216MILLION reboot, with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez joining over the last month.
The Independent
6 hours ago
- The Independent
Japan launches a climate change monitoring satellite on mainstay H2A rocket's last flight
Japan on Sunday launched a satellite to monitor greenhouse gas emissions using its mainstay H-2A rocket, which made its final flight before it is replaced by a new flagship designed to be more cost competitive in the global space market. The H-2A rocket successfully lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan, carrying the GOSAT-GW satellite as part of Tokyo's effort to mitigate climate change. The satellite was released into orbit about 16 minutes later. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which operates the rocket launch, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, will hold a news conference later Sunday to give further details of the flight. Sunday's launch marked the 50th and final flight for the H-2A, which has served as Japan's mainstay rocket to carry satellites and probes into space with a near-perfect record since its 2001 debut. After its retirement, it will be fully replaced by the H3, which is already in operation, as Japan's new main flagship. The launch follows several days of delays because of malfunctioning of the rocket's electrical systems. The GOSAT-GW, or Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle, is a third series in the mission to monitor carbon, methane and other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. It will start distributing data in about one year, officials said. The liquid-fuel H-2A rocket with two solid-fuel sub-rockets developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has so far had 49 flights with a 98% success record, with only one failure in 2003. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has provided its launch operation since 2007. H-2A successfully carried into space Japan's moon lander SLIM last year, and a popular Hayabusa2 spacecraft in 2014 to reach a distant asteroid, contributing to the country's space programs. Japan sees a stable, commercially competitive space transport capability as key to its space program and national security, and has been developing two new flagship rockets as successors of the H-2A series — the larger H3 with Mitsubishi, and a much smaller Epsilon system with the aerospace unit of the heavy machinery maker IHI. It hopes to cater to diverse customer needs and improve its position in the growing satellite launch market. The H3, is designed to carry larger payloads than the H-2A at about half its launch cost to be globally competitive, though officials say more cost reduction efforts are needed to achieve better price competitiveness in the global market. The H3 has made four consecutive successful flights after a failed debut attempt in 2023, when the rocket had to be destroyed with its payload.
