Lambda
Japanese 1960s-70s 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 | L-4SC-5 Japan • Lambda 4SC |
Aug 16, 1977 | L-3H-9 Japan • Lambda 3H |
Aug 30, 1976 | L-4SC-4 Japan • Lambda 4SC |
Sep 9, 1974 | L-4SC-3 Japan • Lambda 4SC |
Jan 22, 1974 | L-3H-8 Japan • Lambda 3H |
Jan 28, 1973 | L-4SC-2 Japan • Lambda 4SC |
Sep 3, 1971 | L-3H-7 Japan • Lambda 3H |
Aug 20, 1971Failure | L-4SC-1 Japan • Lambda 4SC |
Sep 19, 1970 | L-3H-5 Japan • Lambda 3H |
Feb 11, 1970 | Ohsumi 5 Japan • Lambda 4S |
Jan 21, 1970 | L-3H-6 Japan • Lambda 3H |
Sep 22, 1969Failure | Ohsumi 4 Japan • Lambda 4S |
Sep 3, 1969 | L-4T-1 Japan • Lambda 4T |
Jan 13, 1969 | L-3H-4 Japan • Lambda 3H |
Apr 13, 1967Failure | Ohsumi 3 Japan • Lambda 4S |
Feb 6, 1967 | L-3H-3 Japan • Lambda 3H |
Dec 20, 1966Failure | Ohsumi 2 Japan • Lambda 4S |
Sep 26, 1966Failure | Ohsumi 1 Japan • Lambda 4S |
Jul 23, 1966 | L-3H-2 Japan • Lambda 3H |
Mar 5, 1966 | L-3H-1 Japan • Lambda 3H |
Mar 18, 1965 | L-3-3 Japan • Lambda 3 |
Jan 31, 1965 | L-3-2 Japan • Lambda 3 |
Jul 11, 1964 | L-3-1 Japan • Lambda 3 |
Dec 11, 1963 | L-2-2 Japan • Lambda 2 |
Aug 24, 1963Failure | L-2-1 Japan • Lambda 2 |