Japan’s H3 Suffers Second-Stage Failure, Navigation Satellite Lost

Japan’s H3 rocket, the flagship launch vehicle of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), encountered a significant setback during its eighth mission on 22 December 2025, when the second-stage engine failed to ignite properly, preventing the deployment of the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into its planned geosynchronous orbit.The launch took place at 10:51 JST from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex
Japan’s H3 rocket, the flagship launch vehicle of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), encountered a significant setback during its eighth mission on 22 December 2025, when the second-stage engine failed to ignite properly, preventing the deployment of the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into its planned geosynchronous orbit.The launch took place at 10:51 JST from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex
Go to Source