H3 Rocket No. 8 Launch Fails After Second-Stage Engine Cuts Off Early

KAGOSHIMA, Dec 23 (News On Japan) - The H3 Rocket No. 8 was launched at 10:51 a.m. on December 22 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, but the mission ended in failure after the rocket was unable to place its onboard satellite into its planned orbit.

According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, the vehicle continued flying smoothly for most of its ascent, but just before the scheduled satellite separation, the second-stage engine’s second burn stopped earlier than planned, preventing the satellite “Michibiki No. 5” from reaching its designated orbit.

At a press conference held later in the afternoon, JAXA acknowledged the failure, saying it was unable to insert the satellite into the intended orbit. “We were unable to place Michibiki No. 5 into its planned orbit, resulting in a failed launch. We sincerely apologize for not meeting expectations,” the agency said.

The launch had initially been scheduled for December 17 but was called off shortly before liftoff due to a malfunction in ground-based equipment, leading to a rescheduled attempt on December 22.

Source: FNN

New Shinkansen Reservation Service Lets Users Book in One Minute

JR East has launched a preview version of its new online Shinkansen booking platform, JRE GO, promising reservations in as little as one minute and easier handling of sudden schedule changes.

Father Claimed Son Was Missing Before Disappearance

A 37-year-old father arrested over the alleged abandonment of his son's body in a forest in Kyoto Prefecture may have contacted associates to say the child had gone missing before the boy's school informed the family, investigators said.

Bear Found in Bushes in Central Sendai Finally Culled

A bear that had remained in a residential area in central Sendai since early Sunday morning was euthanized last night in an emergency cull. No injuries were reported.

Father Admits Killing and Body Abandonment in Kyoto

Police investigating the death of an 11-year-old boy whose body was found in a forest in Kyoto Prefecture believe his father moved the remains between several locations over a number of days in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.

Strong Typhoon Raises High Surf Risk for Pacific Areas of Japan This Weekend

A large and powerful Typhoon No. 4, internationally named Sinlaku, was located near the Mariana Islands and moving north-northeast as of the latest update. The storm is expected to gradually shift its course eastward and pass southeast of the Ogasawara Islands around April 18, before making its closest approach around April 19.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

Autonomous Truck Runs 500km Between Kanto and Kansai

Japan's logistics sector is struggling with a severe driver shortage, driving efforts to develop autonomous trucks as a potential solution to a growing freight transport crisis.

Why Expo EV Buses Went to the Graveyard

The fleet of 190 EV buses introduced for the Osaka-Kansai Expo has been withdrawn from plans for reuse on regular routes, with Osaka Metro abandoning efforts to redeploy the vehicles after the event.

OPPO To Launch Foldable Smartphone in Japan

Chinese smartphone maker OPPO announced it will release its foldable smartphone “OPPO Find N6” in Japan on April 15th, marking the company’s first entry into the country’s foldable device segment.

Deep-Sea Research Heats Up

An event aimed at bringing the mysteries of the deep sea closer to the public was held in Nago City, where a researcher who has explored oceans around the world delivered a talk.

Japan Military to Exit Antarctica

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will withdraw from Antarctic research vessel operations after nearly six decades, with private-sector entities expected to take over following the retirement of the icebreaker Shirase in fiscal 2034.

New Science Reveals Hidden Gases Emitted From the Skin

As temperatures rise, concerns about body odor return, drawing attention to a lesser-known scientific field that examines the invisible gases emitted from human skin, with Tokai University professor Yoshika Sekine leading research that could even help detect disease and stress levels.

Japan's Supercomputer 'Fugaku' Expands Frontiers in Science After Five Years

Five years have passed since Japan’s flagship supercomputer Fugaku, based in Kobe, began full-scale operations, achieving a series of breakthroughs by simulating complex phenomena on a massive and highly precise scale, ranging from the formation of galaxies to the behavior of nerve cells.

Japan Faces Shortage of Medical Supplies

Rising tensions in the Middle East are raising concerns over potential disruptions to medical supplies in Japan, particularly due to uncertainty surrounding naphtha used in products such as gloves and gowns, with hospitals warning that a halt in supply could significantly impact medical care while authorities move to reassure that stockpiles are sufficient for the time being.

< 2 3 4 5 >