H2
Japanese expendable medium-lift orbital rocket
Japan's first rocket built entirely with domestic technology — no licensed US hardware. H-II flew seven times between 1994 and 1999, with two failures late in the programme. It was expensive and troubled, but it proved Japan could design its own cryogenic engine and led directly to the more affordable H-IIA.
Service 1994–1999
1994 to 1999
1994 first flight 1999 last flight
- launches
- 8
- success · 6/8
- 75%