What happened to Japan's H3 rocket on December 22, 2025?

Japan's H3 rocket failed to place the Michibiki 5 navigation satellite into its planned orbit due to a second-stage engine malfunction.

How does the H3 rocket failure affect Japan's satellite plans?

The failure sets back Japan's plans for a more independent and precise geolocation system, crucial for navigation and technology.

What is the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) doing after the H3 rocket failure?

JAXA is investigating the cause of the failure and has established a task force to determine necessary measures and regain credibility.

Home / Science / Japan's New H3 Rocket Fails on Navigation Satellite Launch

Japan's New H3 Rocket Fails on Navigation Satellite Launch

22 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Japan's new H3 rocket failed to orbit a navigation satellite.
This marks the second significant failure for the H3 rocket program.
The failure jeopardizes Japan's plan for a more precise geolocation system.

Japan's New H3 Rocket Fails on Navigation Satellite Launch

Japan's space agency has reported a critical failure with its new H3 rocket, which was carrying the Michibiki 5 navigation satellite. The rocket failed to successfully deploy the payload into its planned orbit following a premature cutoff of its second-stage engine burn.

This incident represents a significant setback for Japan's ambitious space program, particularly for its new flagship rocket, the H3, which is intended to be more cost-competitive globally. This is the second major failure for the H3, following its debut flight in March 2023, raising concerns about the reliability of Japan's next-generation launch capabilities.

The failure has direct implications for Japan's strategic goal of establishing a more precise and independent geolocation system by 2026, reducing reliance on the U.S. GPS. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is currently investigating the cause, emphasizing its commitment to rectifying the issues and regaining credibility.