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Space Rocket Crashes in 2025: Why This Year Saw an Unusually High Number of Orbital Launch Failures
A wave of launch failures marked the global space race in 2025, with rockets from the US, China, Japan, India, South Korea and Europe suffering fiery mishaps. From Starship test explosions to failed orbital insertions and crashed lunar landers, setbacks underscored the risks of rapid innovation.
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Japan’s H3 Rocket Suffers Setback as Michibiki 5 Navigation Satellite Launch Fails
The Japanese H3 rocket failed to place the Michibiki 5 satellite in orbit, marking the second launch failure in seven missions.
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Rocket Lab Launches Kushinada-I Satellite to Orbit for Japan’s iQPS
On August 5, 2025, Rocket Lab launched Japan’s QPS-SAR-12 satellite, nicknamed Kushinada-I, aboard its Electron rocket from Mahia, New Zealand. Built by the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS), the satellite joins a growing constellation of synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) spacecraft designed for high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night...
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Japan Launches Final H-2A Rocket with GOSAT-GW Satellite to Monitor Climate and Oceans
Japan concluded the H-2A rocket program with the launch of the GOSAT-GW satellite, dedicated to monitoring greenhouse gases and sea temperatures. The mission strengthens Japan’s long-term commitment to climate research and marks a transition to the more cost-effective H3 launch system. Over its 25-year lifespan, H-2A recorded 49 successes out of ...
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Honda Succeeds In Reusable Rocket Test, Aims At 2029 For Spaceflight
Honda R&D, the research arm of Japan's second-biggest carmaker, successfully landed its 6.3-metre (20.6-foot) experimental reusable launch vehicle after reaching an altitude of 271 metres (889 feet) at its test facility in Taiki.
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Chandrayaan-5 Approved: ISRO Plans 350kg Rover, India-Japan Collaboration
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed the Centre’s approval for Chandrayaan-5, advancing India’s lunar exploration plans. The mission, which includes a 350kg rover, will be developed in collaboration with Japan. ISRO is also working on Chandrayaan-4, focusing on sample collection, and has outlined plans for an independent space station by 2035. ...
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Rocket Lab’s Neutron Rocket to Land at Sea, First Launch Set for 2025
Rocket Lab has announced that its Neutron rocket will launch in late 2025, aiming to address the growing demand for medium-lift launch services. The rocket will be recovered at sea using a modified offshore barge, enhancing mission flexibility. The company has also introduced a new satellite platform, Flatellite, designed for large-scale satellite ...
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Japan’s First Space Launch of 2025 Sends Michibiki 6 Navigation Satellite into Orbit
Japan launched the Michibiki 6 satellite aboard an H3 rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, marking the country’s first space mission of 2025. The 4,900-kilogram satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit 29 minutes after liftoff. Michibiki 6 will enhance the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, improving GPS services in Japan and nearb...
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SpaceX to Launch Two Private Lunar Landers in January 2025
SpaceX is preparing for a significant dual lunar mission in January 2025, using its Falcon 9 rocket to carry two private landers. Japan’s ispace will deploy its upgraded Resilience lander, aiming for Mare Frigoris as part of Mission 2. The lander carries multiple scientific payloads, including a microrover named Tenacious, which will collect luna...
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Video: Japanese Space Startup's Rocket Launch Fails Minutes After Lift-Off
A Japanese space startup's attempt to launch a rocket carrying satellites into orbit was aborted minutes after liftoff on Wednesday. This was Tokyo-based Space One's second attempt to launch the Kairos small rocket.
-
Space Rocket Crashes in 2025: Why This Year Saw an Unusually High Number of Orbital Launch Failures
A wave of launch failures marked the global space race in 2025, with rockets from the US, China, Japan, India, South Korea and Europe suffering fiery mishaps. From Starship test explosions to failed orbital insertions and crashed lunar landers, setbacks underscored the risks of rapid innovation.
-
Japan’s H3 Rocket Suffers Setback as Michibiki 5 Navigation Satellite Launch Fails
The Japanese H3 rocket failed to place the Michibiki 5 satellite in orbit, marking the second launch failure in seven missions.
-
Rocket Lab Launches Kushinada-I Satellite to Orbit for Japan’s iQPS
On August 5, 2025, Rocket Lab launched Japan’s QPS-SAR-12 satellite, nicknamed Kushinada-I, aboard its Electron rocket from Mahia, New Zealand. Built by the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS), the satellite joins a growing constellation of synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) spacecraft designed for high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night...
-
Japan Launches Final H-2A Rocket with GOSAT-GW Satellite to Monitor Climate and Oceans
Japan concluded the H-2A rocket program with the launch of the GOSAT-GW satellite, dedicated to monitoring greenhouse gases and sea temperatures. The mission strengthens Japan’s long-term commitment to climate research and marks a transition to the more cost-effective H3 launch system. Over its 25-year lifespan, H-2A recorded 49 successes out of ...
-
Honda Succeeds In Reusable Rocket Test, Aims At 2029 For Spaceflight
Honda R&D, the research arm of Japan's second-biggest carmaker, successfully landed its 6.3-metre (20.6-foot) experimental reusable launch vehicle after reaching an altitude of 271 metres (889 feet) at its test facility in Taiki.
-
Chandrayaan-5 Approved: ISRO Plans 350kg Rover, India-Japan Collaboration
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed the Centre’s approval for Chandrayaan-5, advancing India’s lunar exploration plans. The mission, which includes a 350kg rover, will be developed in collaboration with Japan. ISRO is also working on Chandrayaan-4, focusing on sample collection, and has outlined plans for an independent space station by 2035. ...
-
Rocket Lab’s Neutron Rocket to Land at Sea, First Launch Set for 2025
Rocket Lab has announced that its Neutron rocket will launch in late 2025, aiming to address the growing demand for medium-lift launch services. The rocket will be recovered at sea using a modified offshore barge, enhancing mission flexibility. The company has also introduced a new satellite platform, Flatellite, designed for large-scale satellite ...
-
Japan’s First Space Launch of 2025 Sends Michibiki 6 Navigation Satellite into Orbit
Japan launched the Michibiki 6 satellite aboard an H3 rocket from Tanegashima Space Center, marking the country’s first space mission of 2025. The 4,900-kilogram satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit 29 minutes after liftoff. Michibiki 6 will enhance the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, improving GPS services in Japan and nearb...
-
SpaceX to Launch Two Private Lunar Landers in January 2025
SpaceX is preparing for a significant dual lunar mission in January 2025, using its Falcon 9 rocket to carry two private landers. Japan’s ispace will deploy its upgraded Resilience lander, aiming for Mare Frigoris as part of Mission 2. The lander carries multiple scientific payloads, including a microrover named Tenacious, which will collect luna...
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Video: Japanese Space Startup's Rocket Launch Fails Minutes After Lift-Off
A Japanese space startup's attempt to launch a rocket carrying satellites into orbit was aborted minutes after liftoff on Wednesday. This was Tokyo-based Space One's second attempt to launch the Kairos small rocket.
