Japan’s new flagship H3 rocket reaches planned trajectory in key test

An H3 rocket lifts off at Tanegashima Space Centre in Kagoshima, southern Japan (Kyodo News via AP)

A Japanese flagship H3 rocket has lifted off from a space station in south-western Japan, successfully achieving its planned trajectory and releasing two small observation satellites in a key second test, overcoming its failed debut launch a year ago.

The H3 rocket blasted off from a launch pad at the Tanegashima Space Centre on time on Saturday morning, two days after its originally scheduled lift-off was delayed due to bad weather.