Japanese missiles lost satellites

“The second firing process of the second stage engine did not take place normally and turned off earlier than expected. Therefore, QZS-5 could not be put into the correct orbit and the launch failed,” a representative of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) explained.

Theo Space Newsit is currently unclear whether the satellite has separated from the second rocket stage or not. The US Space Force also recorded an object in an orbit of 109 x 441 km, consistent with a launch from Tanegashima Space Center. However, the satellite and rocket stage are expected to fall back into the atmosphere after only a few orbits around the Earth because the perigee (the closest point to Earth in an object’s orbit) is very low.

QZS-5 weighs 4,800 kg and is part of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a navigation network in geosynchronous orbit developed by Japan. The system is compatible with GPS satellites and can be used in combination. The system currently includes 4 satellites with the first launch taking place in September 2010, but Japan wants to increase it to 11 satellites.

According to JAXA, QZSS is distributed across many orbital planes, allowing Japan to operate high-precision positioning services essential to vehicle and smartphone navigation systems, covering nearly 100% of Japan’s territory, including narrow urban areas and mountainous areas. QZSS can operate in areas of Asia and Oceania with longitudes near Japan.

JAXA has established a specialized team led by Director Hiroshi Yamakawa to clarify the cause of the incident. “We send our deepest apologies to many individuals and organizations, especially those involved in the QZS-5 project, local organizations and the public, who have placed many expectations on the project,” said a JAXA representative.

The H3 two-stage rocket was developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This is the successor to the H-2A, the missile “retired” in June after 25 years of service. The H3 rocket failed on its first launch in March 2023, but then successfully launched five times in a row before experiencing problems yesterday.