Japan’s flagship H3 rocket fails to launch satellite

Tokyo (AFP) Dec 22, 2025

Japan’s flagship H3 rocket failed to launch a geolocation satellite into orbit on Monday due to engine failure, the country’s space agency said.

The second-stage engine "terminated prematurely" after the rocket blasted off at 10:51 am (0151 GMT) from the Tanegashima space centre in southern Japan, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).