JAXA Plans To Build Rockets That Can Be Reused

Japan's H3 rocket is developing to be reusable (photo: dock. JAXA)

JAKARTA - The Japan Space Exploration Agency (JAXA) is planning to build a rocket that can be reused in the future. In its manufacture, JAXA will cooperate with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (HMI).

The design of reusable rockets or rockets that can be reused has a number of advantages. In addition to increasing the load capability, reusable rockets can also reduce launch costs.

Reportedly, Japan's basic space policy plan has approved this plan. Through this approval, JAXA will develop and implement a new reusable system to the H3 rocket.

"In accordance with the basic space policy plan, JAXA is starting research on new generation rockets that have a function of being reused in the first phase with MHI," said the JAXA Department of Public Relations, quoted from Spacenews.

Basically, H3 is a disposable rocket designed more cost-effectively. However, the rocket launch failed last March. After the problem occurred, JAXA began to study new rocket fuels.

So far, H3 has been powered by a liquid hydrogen propellant, but JAXA plans to replace it with liquid methane. This substitution of power is carried out to reduce costs to low earth orbit so that the launch frequency can be increased.

If JAXA succeeds in replacing liquid hydrogen with methane, this Japanese company can follow in the footsteps of SpaceX, Blue Origin, the Chinese Space Science and Technology Company (CASC) which has launched and will launch rockets with methane power.