Key facts
- Japan's H3 rocket successfully launched on Friday, marking a return to flight after previous failures.
- The new variant features triple liquid-fuel LE-9 engines and no rocket boosters, designed for lower cost.
- Six small satellites developed by universities and organizations were believed to be successfully deployed.
- The launch is crucial for Japan's space program, which faces competition from SpaceX.
- JAXA aims for six to eight H3 launches annually.
Japan's H3 rocket returned to flight on Friday with the debut of a new low-cost variant, a much-needed success for the country's flagship rocket program. The launch from the Tanegashima Space Center successfully placed six small satellites into orbit, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).