Looks very Atlas V like. Does it has some defined target performances?
http://global.jaxa.jp/press/2015/07/20150702_h3.htmlAnnouncement of the Official Naming of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle The National Research and Development Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is proud to announce the official naming of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle currently under development as follows. The name was decided in coordination with the prime contractor (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.) We will continue to develop the Next Generation Launch Vehicle in order to achieve flexible and diversified demands.Name: H3 Launch Vehicle (Abbreviation: H3)The major reasons for the selection is as follows:The “H” stands for a successful heritage of our H-IIA/H-IIB Launch Vehicles.The “3” implies our innovative challenge.http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2015/07/files/20150702_rocket_j.pdf
It seems that Japanese media is reporting a target cost of 50 billion yen (~$41M US) for the baseline version - if so that's a little bit higher than what I think for the (similar performance) basic F9R....but not by much. If they really can hit that target the Japanese might actually have some chance of getting a foothold in the market for the very first time.
Quote from: yoichi on 07/02/2015 04:46 amhttp://global.jaxa.jp/press/2015/07/20150702_h3.htmlAnnouncement of the Official Naming of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle The National Research and Development Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is proud to announce the official naming of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle currently under development as follows. The name was decided in coordination with the prime contractor (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.) We will continue to develop the Next Generation Launch Vehicle in order to achieve flexible and diversified demands.Name: H3 Launch Vehicle (Abbreviation: H3)The major reasons for the selection is as follows:The “H” stands for a successful heritage of our H-IIA/H-IIB Launch Vehicles.The “3” implies our innovative challenge.http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2015/07/files/20150702_rocket_j.pdfIn other news, it looks like they have settled on 1 140 kN thrust engine on the upper stage - which according to Japanese reports would be an upgrade of the existing LE-5B rather than a new engine.The first stage will have either 2 or 3 new 1.5 MN class engines (LE-9) - I guess it will be 2 on the GTO bound versions with SRBs and 3 on the baseline SSO version? The SRBs will have an average thrust of 2.2 MN.Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 04/10/2015 03:35 pmIt seems that Japanese media is reporting a target cost of 50 billion yen (~$41M US) for the baseline version - if so that's a little bit higher than what I think for the (similar performance) basic F9R....but not by much. If they really can hit that target the Japanese might actually have some chance of getting a foothold in the market for the very first time. OK it's 5B yen not 50, but the target cost is holding. It won't be a game changer, but $40M US for a 4+t SSO launcher might be able to sink the Ariane 62, Vega-E and Antares 200.....
Any word regarding reusability?.
Any hard data one the LE-9? I would like to write a wikipedia article.
looks like they are targeting around 14 flights a year initially from only pad 2. Launch rate would double if pad 1 converted.
Quote from: TrevorMonty on 07/08/2015 10:37 pmAny word regarding reusability?.im not great at Japanese, but it appears answer is no.