Quiet Goodbye, Bold Hello: Japan’s H3 Rocket Takes the Torch from H-2A to Slash Costs and Double Cadence
Japan’s H-2A completed its 50th and final launch on June 28, 2025, carrying the GOSAT-GW climate-monitoring satellite, after a 49-for-50 success rate (98%). Over its service, H-2A lofted payloads including SELENE (Kaguya), Akatsuki, Hayabusa 2, and the Emirates Mars Mission.