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.
Service 1963–1979
1963 to 1979
1963 first flight 1966 peak (4 launches) 1979 last flight
- launches
- 25
- success · 19/25
- 76%
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 |