H3 • QZS-5

An H3 launch vehicle, a rocket developed through a partnership between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), launched the Michibiki No. 5, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-5). This was the eighth launch of an H3 rocket. Delayed from Dec. 6/7 “due to the occurrence of a need to check onboard equipment on the second stage.” Delayed from Dec. 16/17 due to ground systems issue that caused an abort in the final minute of the count. Second stage anomaly prevented the deployment of QZS-5 into the correct orbit.