Japan space agency unveils new rocket Epsilon

[Crisp]

Japan space agency unveils new rocket Epsilon

 

The rocket is a successor of the M-5 rocket that was retired in 2006.

 

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on Tuesday unveiled its new solid-fuel rocket Epsilon before its launch with a scientific satellite next week.

Epsilon, a three-stage rocket with 24.4 meter in length, 2.6 meters in diameter and 91 ton in weight, is to be launched from the state-run agency's Uchinoura Space Center in southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima.

The rocket is a successor of the M-5 rocket that was retired in 2006 and is planned to carry a telescope named SPRINT-A, world's first space telescope for remote observation of planets.

The agency originally scheduled to launch the rocket Thursday but postponed until next Tuesday due to wrong wiring in communication equipment.

 

Source

[IsItPluggedIn]

Just some basic info.

 

Length 24m

Mass 91t

Standard Configuration
Three-staged Solid Propellant Launch Vehicle

LEO 1200kg

Optional Configuration
Three-staged Solid Propellant Launch Vehicle
+ Compact Liquid Propulsion System

LEO 700kg

SSO 450kg

[CygnusOrion]

I'm watching the anime "Space Brothers" which features JAXA, so this story fits right in!

[DocM]

Similar to Lockheed Martin's Athena I launcher. This class of launcher is going to get a lot of work with the rise in popularity of micro and nano satellites.

Athena I

[Growled Member]

Do the Japanese have a huge space program? I can't seem to recall hearing much from them lately.

[IsItPluggedIn]

JAXA is one of the better space agency's around the world. Especially with the issues that have been faced else where. 

 

http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html

 

Their site is annoying to look at but once you get there you can see the sort of stuff they are doing, they are one of the few space agencies that can still get to the ISS.

[DocM]

Yup - the JAXA HTV is very similar to Europes ATV, both flying ISS resupply missions. They launch commercial satellites and have a manned program that has unfortunatel been backburnered foe budget reasons. JAXA astronauts have also flown to ISS.

HTV (10 x 4.4 meters, 10,500 kg)

H-IIB launcher (57 metrrs tall, 19,000 kg to LEO, similar to a large version of Atlas V)

[Crisp]

Turns out this thing has problems...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/27/us-japan-rocket-launch-idUSBRE97Q05T20130827

[DocM]

Not actually that big a deal - 50% of new launchers fail in their first 2-3 attempts. SpaceX going 5 for 5 was highly unusual.

[DocM]

The next launch attempt for Epsilon is scheduled for no earlier than Sept. 14. The previous abort was caused by a communications lag between the rocket and mission control.

[IsItPluggedIn]

Damn that guy in the back of mission control downloading porn.

[DocM]

Damn that guy in the back of mission control downloading porn.

Hentai ;)