The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has successfully launched an H3 payload rocket from the Tanegashima Satellite Launch Center in the southwest of the country. The event was broadcast on JAXA's website.
The launch of the rocket, which is supposed to launch the communication satellite of the Ministry of Defense, has been delayed several times due to bad weather conditions.
The H3 is Japan's largest liquid-propellant launch vehicle. Its length is 63 meters, its diameter is 5.2 meters, its carrying capacity is 4 to 6.5 tons.
The development of the missile began in 2013. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries spent about 200 billion yen ($1.32 billion) for these purposes. 3D printers were used to create some parts of the new rocket, which reduced the cost of its production.
