The LE-7 is an RS-25 class engine, and probably cost wise very similar
[ Special features ]- The main liquid-engine core rockets will be the same specifications for all launch vehicles in the new series so that manufacturing and operation can be more efficiently performed.- Up to six solid rocket boosters (depending on the needs) can be attached for a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) mission to be able to flexibly cope with diversified needs.[ Development schedule ]The development will begin in early Japan Fiscal Year 2014 targeting a maiden launch in JFY 2020. [ Development details ]- Launch vehicle development (structure, electronics/avionics, propulsion system, payload fairing)- Engine development (for the first and second stages)- Solid rocket booster development- Launch pad, launch site ground facility development
At the IAF spring meeting in Paris last week, it was named "H-X".
Quote from: Comet on 03/26/2014 11:44 amAt the IAF spring meeting in Paris last week, it was named "H-X".Wow, Launch cost reduction by Half. Impressive program.
Quote from: Prober on 03/26/2014 12:36 pmQuote from: Comet on 03/26/2014 11:44 amAt the IAF spring meeting in Paris last week, it was named "H-X".Wow, Launch cost reduction by Half. Impressive program.In my opinion, that "reduction by half" claim is based on the fact that both H-2A and H-2B will be replaced by this new vehicle. Two production lines reduced to one. That doesn't make it a cheap rocket. - Ed Kyle
Quote from: edkyle99 on 03/26/2014 03:09 pmQuote from: Prober on 03/26/2014 12:36 pmQuote from: Comet on 03/26/2014 11:44 amAt the IAF spring meeting in Paris last week, it was named "H-X".Wow, Launch cost reduction by Half. Impressive program.In my opinion, that "reduction by half" claim is based on the fact that both H-2A and H-2B will be replaced by this new vehicle. Two production lines reduced to one. That doesn't make it a cheap rocket. - Ed KyleSince the H-3 is not developing new engines or new tooling. The development cost should be minimal.Of course the cost estimate and the actual cost might be quite different.
Interesting, to use an expander (bleed) on a first stage. This has been proposed before but has been left unexplored for some reason.
This article shows a CGI image by JAXA of the H-III being raised from a horizontal position on a strongback.-Are the solid rocket boosters small and light enough for this to work, or does it have to be all-liquid?-Will the VAB be dismantled and replaced with a horizontal integration facility, or will the rocket still be assembled vertically, then lowered to a horizontal position for transport to the launch pad?
Latest report on the H-III - it has passed the mission definition and system readiness review phase.Looks like the team is still looking at the core stages with the number of engines on both stages still undecided (2-3 for the 1st stage and 1-2 for the 2nd), and they seems to have went back to vertical integration.
So the solid boosters will mostly be the same as H-IIA/B instead of having two to six smaller SRBs?If H-III and H-X aren't official names, what else would they call it? H-IIC?