H3
updated 3 hours ago
Japanese next-generation medium-lift orbital rocket
H3 is Japan's replacement for H-IIA, designed to fly for less money. The first flight in March 2023 failed when the second stage didn't ignite and JAXA destroyed the rocket. Six consecutive successes followed before a second-stage failure in December 2025 lost a navigation satellite.
We track every H3 launch.
Next launch in 39 daysAug 6
Service since 2023
2023 first flight 2024 peak (3 launches)
- launches
- 8
- success
- 75%
- upcoming
- 10
H3 Launch Activity
Past launches and what's coming up
- Nov 04 202406:48 UTCNov 04 202406:48 UTC
- Feb 02 202508:30 UTCFeb 02 202508:30 UTC
- Oct 26 202500:00 UTCOct 26 202500:00 UTC
- Dec 22 202501:51 UTCDec 22 202501:51 UTC
- Jun 12 202600:53 UTCJun 12 202600:53 UTC
- Now Jun 28 · 2026
Upcoming
- Aug 06 202619:30 UTCAug 06 202619:30 UTC
- Aug 2026Aug 2026
- 20262026
- 20262026
- 20262026
Full Launch History
April 2028 | DESTINY Japan • H3 |
2028 Q1 | MBR Explorer Japan • H3 |
2027 | HTV-X 3 Japan • H3 24 |
2027 | IGS-Optical 9 Japan • H3 |
2027 | IGS-Optical Diversification 2 Japan • H3 |
2026 | ETS-9 Japan • H3 24L |
2026 | IGS-Optical Diversification 1 Japan • H3 |
2026 | Martian Moons eXploration Japan • H3 24L |
August 2026 | HTV-X2 Japan • H3 24W |
Aug 6, 2026 | QZS-7 Japan • H3 22S |
Jun 12, 2026 | VEP-5 Japan • H3 30S |
Dec 22, 2025Failure | QZS-5 Japan • H3 22S |
Oct 26, 2025 | HTV-X1 cargo to ISS Japan • H3 24W |
Feb 2, 2025 | QZS-6 Japan • H3 22S |
Nov 4, 2024 | DSN-3 Japan • H3 22S |
Jul 1, 2024 | ALOS-4 Japan • H3 22S |
Feb 17, 2024 | VEP-4 Japan • H3 22S |
Mar 7, 2023Failure | ALOS-3 Japan • H3 22S |