12 June 2026 year Fr. 00:53 (UTC) from the Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, using a launch vehicle «H3-30» six payload units were launched.
The main cargo of the rocket is "VEP-5» – weight-size payload simulator with a weight of approx 1500 Kg. It does not perform independent space missions, and is used to check the characteristics of the rocket during flight: dynamic loads, operation of separation systems and launch parameters.
«PETREL» (Platform for Extra and Terrestrial Remote Examination with LCTF) – Experimental satellite, created by the Tokyo Institute of Technology. It is equipped with a multispectral camera and is designed for two areas of research: observation of space in the ultraviolet range and spectral remote sensing of the Earth.
«STARS-X» (Space Tethered Autonomous Robotic Satellite X) - technological demonstrator of the space cable, developed by Shizuoka University. The system consists of two satellites, connected by a cable, and is designed to work out technologies for capturing and removing space debris.
«VERTECS» – Japanese experimental small satellite, designed to test new space technologies and flight control systems. Its main task is to develop promising solutions for future small space vehicles.
«BRO-22» – small technological satellite, which is part of the mission's companion payload program. Detailed characteristics of the device are almost never disclosed publicly, but it is intended to demonstrate new space technologies.
«HORN-L/R» – an experimental space debris mitigation device, developed by the Japanese company Bull Space. Its purpose is to test technologies for safely deorbiting satellites after their work is completed.
«H3-30» - one of the modifications of the Japanese launch vehicle H3, created by the Japanese space agency JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to replace the H-IIA rocket. The configuration of the H3-30 is particularly important, as it uses three LE-9 first stage engines for the first time and has no solid propellant boosters (SRB).
The purpose of the mission, also, there is a flight check of the configuration «H3-30» with three LE-9 engines on the first stage and no solid propellant boosters.
Mission «H3-30 Test Flight» is one of the most important for the Japanese space program 2026 year. It is not only testing the new configuration of the H3 missile, but also demonstrates a number of promising technologies: Earth monitoring, astronomical observations, the fight against space debris and the use of space cable systems. The success of the launch will confirm the readiness of the H3 rocket to perform more complex government and scientific missions in the future.
According to the CCS