Japan's next H-2A rocket flight now has a scheduled launch date of September 10, the country's space agency announced Wednesday. Two satellites will be lofted into space by the advanced booster, which will be making its third voyage after two successful test launches.

Liftoff is set for the opening of a 30-minute launch window on September 10 at 0820 GMT (4:20 a.m. EDT), or during the early evening at the launch site on Tanegashima Island, Japan.

The second H-2A rocket blasts off earlier this year. Photo: NASDA

Fastened atop the first operational H-2A rocket will be the Data Relay Test Satellite, a spacecraft that will relay data from satellites and the international space station in lower orbits to ground stations on Earth. To be placed into geostationary orbit, the DRTS craft is similar in function to NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.

Japan originally planned to orbit two DRTS satellites -- DRTS-West and DRTS-East. This first spacecraft to launch was called DRTS-West. However, the Space Activity Commission decided to stop the development of DRTS-E last August.

The other payload riding aboard the H-2A will be the Unmanned Space Experiment Recovery System (USERS). The spacecraft consists of a re-entry module, which will orbit for over eight months performing science experiments before separating from a service module to return to Earth. The service module will remain in orbit for about two years to complete other mission objectives.

The September 10 date was selected after considering the requests of the payloads, spokesperson Junichi Moriuma said.

The recovery of the USERS re-entry module would work best between May and August of 2003, Moriuma explained. For an eight month mission before re-entry, launch would have to be some time during the month of September to support a mid-2003 return date.

Both payloads are now at the launch site undergoing final testing in preparation for liftoff in two months. The H-2A rocket components are expected to be at Tanegashima by the end of July to begin their final processing flow.

Officials have reserved the possibility of launching as late as September 30 if delays occur.

Illustrations of the Data Relay Test Satellite and Unmanned Space Experiment Recovery System spacecraft. Photos: NASDA