Japan is preparing for the final launch of its flagship H2A missile, which will take place 24 June 2025 year. NHK reported this with reference to sources in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The launch will take place from the Tanegasim Space Center in Kagoshim's prefecture in southwestern Japan. H2A will take out a Gosat-GW satellite, designed to measure greenhouse gas levels and collect other data on the state of the atmosphere.
The end of the H2A era.
The H2A missile served Japan for over two decades, carrying out satellite launches for various scientific, research and commercial missions.
From 49 of the H2A launches, only one failed — it happened during the sixth launch in 2003 year.
The successful completion of the 50th flight will further strengthen Japan's reputation as a reliable space partner.
The main reason for decommissioning the H2A was the high cost of launches and the emergence of a new generation of rocket carriers.
The successor is the H3 rocket.
After the final flight of the H2A, it will be completely replaced by the H3 rocket, Japan's new main launch vehicle:
H3 is designed to reduce the cost of launches,
it should provide greater flexibility for different types of missions,
the new carrier should become competitive in the international market of satellite launches.
Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250423_11/