TEST LAUNCH OF JAPAN’S H3 ROCKET, June 9, 2026, Tanegashima, Japan, 8:53 pm EDT (June 10, 9:53 am JST)

JAXA will launch the H3 rocket on a test flight on June 10, 2026 at 9:53:59 am Japan Standard Time (which is June 9 at 8:53:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time) from Tanegeshima, Japan. The launch window is open until 11:52:46 am on June 10 JST (which is 10:52:46 am on June 9 EDT).

The “reserved launch period” is through June 30.

More information is on JAXA’s website.

The test launch follows a failure on December 22, 2025 JST that led to the loss of the QZS-5 navigation satellite on December 22, 2025 JST.  The satellite reportedly separated from the rocket during stage separation between the first and second stages and fell into the ocean. The cause was later reported to be due to adhesive strips in the payload support structure peeling off.