Japan’s space agency successfully launched the H3 rocket on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan, carrying the newly developed HTV-X1 unmanned cargo spacecraft. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed that the rocket entered its planned orbit about 14 minutes after liftoff. The mission aims to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), including food, scientific instruments, and maintenance materials. According to JAXA, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, currently stationed at the ISS, is expected to capture the cargo craft using a robotic arm once it arrives. The HTV-X1 is the successor to the H-II Transfer Vehicle, known as Kounotori, which completed nine missions between 2009 and 2020. The launch also marked the first successful flight of the H3 rocket’s most powerful version, equipped with four boosters and an enlarged fairing.

The HTV-X1 represents a significant technological advancement for Japan’s space transport capability. The freighter can carry a larger payload and supply electrical power during flight, allowing for the safe transport of temperature-sensitive laboratory samples. It is designed to remain attached to the ISS for up to six months, collecting waste materials before conducting independent orbital missions for an additional three months. JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa described the launch as a major step in strengthening Japan’s autonomous space activity, emphasizing its strategic importance for national security and scientific exploration. The new H3 rocket, developed with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, replaces the long-serving H-2A model and demonstrates enhanced efficiency, precision, and cost-competitiveness. Experts noted that this achievement could reinforce Japan’s credibility and influence in the global aerospace industry.