Japan's 6th H3 rocket lifts off

Japan launched its mainstay H3 rocket in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima on Friday morning. The H3 blasted off from the Tanegashima Space Center. The sixth rocket has three main engines. The rocket reached orbit at an altitude of about 580 kilometers, around 15 minutes after liftoff.

The latest model is a new "30 configuration" test vehicle that does not use boosters. It is carrying six small satellites. The previous H3 lifted off in December, but failed to reach its intended orbit. Attention is focused on whether the latest launch will put Japan's flagship rocket program back on track.