JAXA aims to launch Epsilon S rocket in fiscal 2026

The agency submitted the plan to the day's meeting of a subcommittee of the science ministry, which approved it.

The Epsilon S is an improved version of the Epsilon three-stage, solid-fuel rocket.

JAXA initially planned to launch the Epsilon S in fiscal 2024.

However, it was postponed due to explosions in July 2023 and November 2024 during ground combustion tests for the second-stage rocket engines with enhanced propellant.

JAXA is investigating the cause of the accidents by conducting replica experiments using a model about one-fifth the size of the Epsilon S, resulting in a prolonged inability for the agency to launch planned small satellites using the launch vehicle.

The agency therefore decided to use the second-stage engine of the Epsilon, which has already been successfully launched, for the Epsilon S for the time being, with the aim of resuming launches as soon as possible.