Launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.2

The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) launched the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.2 (H-IIA/F2) at 11:45 a.m. on February 4, 2002 (Japan Standard Time) from Tanegashima Space Center. The launch vehicle was lifted off with its flight azimuth of 96 degrees.

The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.2 flied normally and injected the second stage into the geostationary transfer orbit. The separation of the Mission Demonstration test Satellite-1 (MDS-1) was confirmed about 46 minutes 51 seconds after the lift-off and the solid strap-on boosters (SSB) were normally burnout and separated. NASDA has successfully acquired the data of the preliminary third ignition test of the second stage engine. It has not been confirmed yet if the Demonstrator of Atmospheric Reentry System with Hyper Velocity (DASH) was separated. The separation of DASH was expected about 30 minutes after the lift-off.

NASDA would like to express our appreciation for cooperation and support of all related personnel and organizations for the launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.2.

For your information, the weather at the time of the launch was clear with the wind of 4.8m/s to the east-north-east, and the temperature was 15.6 degrees Celsius.

* This information is also in the website: Latest H-IIA Information

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