Cast of Japanese companies collaborated on satellite launch
YOSHIFUMI UESAKA, Nikkei staff writer
The engine is one of the biggest rocket engines in the world, and its production requires sophisticated design know-how. During launch, 65 tons of propulsion explosives are burned in roughly 100 seconds. The combustion chamber is made of carbon fiber composite material. It has been 20 years since the H-IIA's predecessor, the H-II, embarked on its maiden flight, and Tuesday's launch is a sign that Japan's domestic space program has gathered speed.
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TOKYO -- Japan successfully blasted a weather satellite into orbit Tuesday on a domestically made rocket, an operation that drew upon the skills of multiple Japanese companies.
A Japanese H-IIA rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, carrying the Himawari 8 satellite into orbit. It was the 24th successful launch of an H-IIA out of 25 attempts to date, bringing the rocket's success rate to 96%. This operation was notably a collaboration of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Liftoff occurred on schedule at 2:16 p.m., and 28 minutes later, the Himawari 8's separation from the rocket was confirmed and the geostationary meteorological satellite successfully entered orbit.
While Mitsubishi Heavy coordinated the H-IIA project, a number of Japan's heavy industry companies played a part in production. Kawasaki Heavy Industries provided the payload's fairing, an enclosure that protects it from heat and vibration during blastoff.
Following liftoff, the fairing is made to open like a clam shell into two pieces and detach from the rocket. The payload satellite is then revealed and can proceed into orbit.
At supersonic speeds, 280 tons of pressure bear down on the fairing, along with 170 decibels of noise vibration, enough to make the human ear bleed. The housing is built to withstand this harsh environment by incorporating specialized composites and thermal control technologies.
The rocket boosters on both sides of the H-IIA are the work of Japan's IHI Aerospace, a subsidiary of IHI.
A Japanese H-IIA rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, carrying the Himawari 8 satellite into orbit. It was the 24th successful launch of an H-IIA out of 25 attempts to date, bringing the rocket's success rate to 96%. This operation was notably a collaboration of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Liftoff occurred on schedule at 2:16 p.m., and 28 minutes later, the Himawari 8's separation from the rocket was confirmed and the geostationary meteorological satellite successfully entered orbit.
While Mitsubishi Heavy coordinated the H-IIA project, a number of Japan's heavy industry companies played a part in production. Kawasaki Heavy Industries provided the payload's fairing, an enclosure that protects it from heat and vibration during blastoff.
Following liftoff, the fairing is made to open like a clam shell into two pieces and detach from the rocket. The payload satellite is then revealed and can proceed into orbit.
At supersonic speeds, 280 tons of pressure bear down on the fairing, along with 170 decibels of noise vibration, enough to make the human ear bleed. The housing is built to withstand this harsh environment by incorporating specialized composites and thermal control technologies.
The rocket boosters on both sides of the H-IIA are the work of Japan's IHI Aerospace, a subsidiary of IHI.
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