H-II LAUNCH VEHICLE

Abstract

The development program of the H-II rocket has been initiated in 1985. The H-II rocket is a new expendable launch vehicle to meet a demand of space activities in the 1990's. With the successful development if the N rocket family,, Japan has established the technology for launching satellite into Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO). The National Space Development Agency of Japan(NASDA) has made a major effort to obtain a heavier launch vehicle, capable of meeting the increasing needs of GEO mission. Following the II 1 rocket capable of carrying a 550 kilogram satellite into GEO and ready for a first launch in August 1986, a new launch vehicle called the H-II rocket is being planned to carry a 2 ton satellite into GEO and to be most cost effective per payload ton into GEO. This launch vehicle is of 100 percent domestic design and Japan will be able to have an independent and competitive capability in the field of space transportation systems. First launch of the H-II rocket was performed successfully in February 1994. After that, second and third H-II rocket were launched in august 1994 and march 1995.