# Jaxa H3
*launch services*

## Specifications
- **merge suggestions**: [{"slug":"jaxa-h-iia","name":"H-IIA (JAXA/MHI)","score":0.6,"matchedOn":"slug","matchedValue":"jaxa-h-iia"}]
- **entity type**: launch_service
- **last verified date**: 2026-06-16
- **verified by**: operator
- **claim status**: unclaimed
- **attributes**: {"merge_suggestions":"[{\"slug\":\"jaxa-h-iia\",\"name\":\"H-IIA (JAXA/MHI)\",\"score\":0.6,\"matchedOn\":\"slug\",\"matchedValue\":\"jaxa-h-iia\"}]"}

## Editorial
H3 is a Japanese two-stage liquid-propellant launch vehicle using LH2/LOX on both stages, with optional solid rocket boosters, operated by JAXA with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) as prime contractor and commercial operator.[^jaxa-h3-page][^wikipedia-h3] The vehicle is active as of mid-2026.[^wikipedia-h3] The modular configuration system, designated H3-XYZ, varies the number of first-stage engines (2 or 3 LE-9), the number of SRB-3 boosters (0, 2, or 4), and fairing length (short 10.4 m or long 16.4 m), all sharing a 5.27 m fairing diameter.[^wikipedia-h3] Representative payload figures: 4,000 kg to SSO (H3-30S configuration)[^wikipedia-h3], 6,500 kg to GTO (H3-24)[^wikipedia-h3], and 16,500 kg to LEO (H3-24).[^wikipedia-h3]

H3 first flew on 2023-03-07; the initial flight (F1) failed due to second-stage ignition failure, with ALOS-3 lost.[^wikipedia-h3] The first successful flight was 2024-02-17 (F2).[^nasaspaceflight-h3-second] As of mid-2026 the vehicle has completed 8 flights with 6 successes.[^wikipedia-h3] The third flight (F3, H3-22S, 2024-07-01) delivered ALOS-4 (DAICHI-4), a PALSAR-3 L-band SAR Earth observation satellite.[^jaxa-alos4-launch-result]

## Sources
- [wikipedia-h3] | H3 (rocket), Wikipedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H3_(rocket) | tier=community | accessed=2026-06-16
- [jaxa-h3-page] | H3 Launch Vehicle, JAXA official page | https://global.jaxa.jp/projects/rockets/h3/ | tier=operator-engineering | accessed=2026-06-16
- [jaxa-alos4-launch-result] | Launch Result of ALOS-4 aboard H3 F3, JAXA, 2024-07-01 | https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2024/07/20240701-1_e.html | tier=operator-engineering | accessed=2026-06-16
- [nasaspaceflight-h3-second] | JAXA reaches orbit on second launch of H3, NASASpaceFlight.com, Feb 2024 | https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/02/jaxa-second-h3/ | tier=community | accessed=2026-06-16

---
Source: https://eo-atlas.org/launch_services/jaxa-h3
Maintainer: SpectraWorks B.V. (CC-BY 4.0)