Overview

• The H-2A rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan on June 28, completing its 50th and final mission operated by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
• Launch attempts were delayed for several days while engineers resolved electrical system malfunctions before proceeding with a successful countdown.
• GOSAT-GW will observe carbon dioxide, methane and water-cycle dynamics from orbit and is expected to begin delivering greenhouse-gas data in mid-2026.
• Since debuting in 2001, H-2A achieved a 98 percent success rate across missions that included the SLIM lunar lander and the Hayabusa2 asteroid probe.
• The H3 rocket, designed to carry larger payloads at lower cost, has notched four consecutive successes since its 2023 debut failure and now serves as Japan’s primary launch vehicle.