Bart Leahy

August 12th, 2017

H-IIA (204) F35 on the launch pad. Photo Credit: shinnosuke0113 on Twitter

In a brief media statement, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that it has canceled todays planned launch of an H-IIA rocket, which is carrying a navigation satellite that is designed to augment the Global Positioning System (GPS) for the Japanese region.

According to the statement, JAXA and its lead contractor, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., jointly decided to cancel the launch, which is expected to be the 35th flight of the H-IIA launch vehicle. JAXA indicated that the flight was canceled due to the necessity of additional examinations around [sic] rocket propulsion system. However, the statement did not indicate whether the problems were with the H-IIA launch vehicle or the satellites R-4D engine. JAXA said that a new launch date would be announced as soon as it is determined.

The payload, MICHIBIKI Quasi-Zenith Satellite #3, is part of a Japanese-built satellite-based augmentation system for the GPS; the system is designed to supporthighly precise and stable location services in Japan as well as those counties in the Asia-Oceania region with similar longitudes, such as Indonesia and Australia.

Tagged: H-IIA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA Lead Stories Michibiki-3

Bart Leahy is a freelance technical writer living in Orlando, Florida. Leahy's diverse career has included work for The Walt Disney Company, NASA, the Department of Defense, Nissan, a number of commercial space companies, small businesses, nonprofits, as well as the Science Cheerleaders.

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JAXA H-IIA launch of GPS satellite canceled - SpaceFlight Insider