All rocketsRetired rocketfromJapan
Lambda
Japanese 1960s solid-fuel small-lift scientific rocket
A small all-solid rocket that made Japan the fourth country to reach orbit independently. After four failed attempts, Lambda 4S placed Ohsumi in orbit on 11 February 1970 — Japan's first satellite, launched from the Kagoshima coast with the bare minimum of hardware. The programme handed off to the Mu family shortly after.
Service1963–1979
19631979
1963·first flight◇1966·peak (4 launches)●1979·last flight
- launches
- 25 launches
- success · 19/25
- 76% success · 19/25
Full Launch History
Sep 20, 1979 | TVC test Japan•Lambda 4SC |
Aug 16, 1977 | Ionosphere mission Japan•Lambda 3H |
Aug 30, 1976 | Radar transponder Japan•Lambda 4SC |
Sep 9, 1974 | TVC test Japan•Lambda 4SC |
Jan 22, 1974 | X-ray astronomy mission Japan•Lambda 3H |
Jan 28, 1973 | TVC test Japan•Lambda 4SC |
Sep 3, 1971 | X-ray astronomy mission Japan•Lambda 3H |
Aug 20, 1971Failure | TVC test Japan•Lambda 4SC |
Sep 19, 1970 | X-ray astronomy mission Japan•Lambda 3H |
Feb 11, 1970 | Ohsumi 5 Japan•Lambda 4S |
Jan 21, 1970 | Ionosphere mission Japan•Lambda 3H |
Sep 22, 1969Failure | Ohsumi 4 Japan•Lambda 4S |
Sep 3, 1969 | Test flight Japan•Lambda 4T |
Jan 13, 1969 | Ionosphere mission Japan•Lambda 3H |
Apr 13, 1967Failure | Ohsumi 3 Japan•Lambda 4S |
Feb 6, 1967 | X-ray astronomy mission Japan•Lambda 3H |
Dec 20, 1966Failure | Ohsumi 2 Japan•Lambda 4S |
Sep 26, 1966Failure | Ohsumi 1 Japan•Lambda 4S |
Jul 23, 1966 | Astronomy mission Japan•Lambda 3H |
Mar 5, 1966 | X-ray astronomy mission Japan•Lambda 3H |
Mar 18, 1965 | X-ray astronomy mission Japan•Lambda 3 |
Jan 31, 1965 | Ionosphere mission Japan•Lambda 3 |
Jul 11, 1964 | Ionosphere mission Japan•Lambda 3 |
Dec 11, 1963 | Ionosphere mission Japan•Lambda 2 |
Aug 24, 1963Failure | Test flight Japan•Lambda 2 |