H3 family
H3-24
The H3 Launch Vehicle is a Japanese expendable launch system. Each H3 booster configuration has a two-digit and a letter designation that indicates the features of that configuration. The first digit represents the number of LE-9 engines on the main stage, either "2" or "3". The second digit indicates the number of SRB-3 solid rocket boosters attached to the base of the rocket, and can be "0", "2" or "4". All layouts of solid boosters are symmetrical. The letter in the end shows the length of the payload fairing, either short "S" or long "L". For example, an H3-24L has two engines, four solid rocket boosters, and a long fairing, whereas an H3-30S has three engines, no solid rocket boosters, and a short fairing.
H3-24 is built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan. Company background, funding, contracts and news for this operator are tracked on Space Index. It first flew on 26 October 2025.
Flight record
Payload
| Geostationary transfer orbit | 7,900kg |
|---|---|
| Launch cost | $50M |
Vehicle
| Stages | 2 |
|---|---|
| Length | 63m |
| Diameter | 5.27m |
| Liftoff thrust | 12,142kN |
| Maiden flight | 2025-10-26 |
| Reusable | No |
Pads used
Orbits delivered
Launch history
| Date | Mission | Pad | Orbit | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-26 | H3-24 | HTV-X1 | Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2 | Low Earth Orbit | Success |
| 2026-10-19 | H3-24 | Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) | Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2 | Mars Orbit | Scheduled |
| TBD | H3-24 | Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) | Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2 | Lunar Orbit | Scheduled |
| TBD | H3-24 | HTV-X2 | Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2 | Low Earth Orbit | Scheduled |
| TBD | H3-24 | HTV-X3 | Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2 | Low Earth Orbit | Scheduled |
| TBD | H3-24 | DESTINY+ & RAMSES | Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2 | Asteroid | Scheduled |
Specifications from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs, launch records from Space Index. Derived figures are computed here; see sources and method.
Further reading: Wikipedia · Operator page