Japan aborts launch of flagship H3 rocket before liftoff

Japan on Friday aborted the launch of its first new medium-lift rocket in three decades moments before the H3 vehicle was meant to lift off after secondary booster engines strapped to its side failed to ignite.
During the live-streamed event, the H3’s main engine cut off after the launch countdown had reached zero, leaving the 57-metre rocket on the ground at the Tanegashima spaceport along with its payload, the ALOS-3 land observation satellite, which is also equipped with an infrared sensor designed to detect North Korean ballistic missiles.
H3 project manager at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Masashi Okada said, JAXA would aim for a second attempt before the end of March.
Japan built the H3 to enhance its independent access to space and bolster its chances of capturing a bigger share of the global launch market from rivals, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
It is designed to put government and commercial satellites into orbit and ferry supplies to the International Space Station.