April 24, 2026 (JST)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

 The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) hereby announces the scheduled launch of H3 Launch Vehicle flight No.6, 30 configuration Test Vehicle as outlined below.

 H3 Launch Vehicle flight No.6, 30 configuration Test Vehicle will carry the Vehicle Evaluation Payload-5 (VEP-5) to conduct the flight demonstration. In addition, we will capitalize on the excess launch capability of H3 Launch Vehicle flight No.6, 30 configuration Test Vehicle by providing launch and orbit insertion opportunities for 6 small secondary payloads (piggyback payloads), PETREL, STARS-X, BRO-22, VERTECS, HORN-L and HORN-R.

 In response to the launch failure of the 8th H3 Launch Vehicle, final evaluations and inspections of H3 Launch Vehicle flight No.6, 30 configuration Test Vehicle, including confirmation of the integrity of the Payload Support Structure (PSS), will be conducted prior to liftoff. Furthermore, the additional flight data will be acquired to support the evaluation of the cause analysis and to improve the reliability of subsequent missions.

Launch Details