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H3-22 | Michibiki 5 (QZS-5)

H3-22 | Michibiki 5 (QZS-5)

Status: Failure  |  Launched: Dec 22, 2025 01:51 UTC

Failure reason: 2nd stage liquid hydrogen tank pressure abnormally start decreasing after fairing separation, leading up to 2nd stage 1st burn 27 seconds longer than planned & engine shutting down 1 second into 2nd burn. Payload stranded in LEO and re-entered shortly after.

Launch Provider & Rocket

Mission

QZSS (Quasi Zenith Satellite System) is a Japanese satellite navigation system operating from inclined, elliptical geosynchronous orbits to achieve optimal high-elevation visibility in urban canyons and mountainous areas. The navigation system objective is to broadcast GPS-interoperable and augmentation signals as well as original Japanese (QZSS) signals from a three-spacecraft constellation. The navigation system objective is to broadcast GPS-interoperable and augmentation signals as well as original Japanese (QZSS) signals from a three-spacecraft constellation in inclined, elliptical geosynchronous orbits.

  • Type: Navigation
  • Orbit: Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GSTO)

Launch Site

  • Pad: Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2
  • Location: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
  • View on map

Launch data sourced automatically from the Launch Library 2 API. Last refreshed: 2026-08-22T21:02:10.804714+00:00.