M-V
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 The third M-V launches with the ASTRO-E spacecraft. The rocket later failed due to engine problems |
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| Fact sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Function | All-solid small orbital launch vehicle | |
| Manufacturer | ISAS | |
| Country of origin | Japan | |
| Size | ||
| Height | 30.8 m (101 ft) | |
| Diameter | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) | |
| Mass | 137,500 - 139,000 kg (303,100 - 306,000 lb) | |
| Stages | 3 or 4 | |
| Capacity | ||
| Payload to LEO | 1,800 kg (3,900 lb) | |
| Payload to Polar LEO |
1,300 kg (2,800 lb) | |
| Launch History | ||
| Status | Retired | |
| Launch Sites | Kagoshima | |
| Total launches | 7 (M-V: 5, M-V KM: 2) | |
| Successes | 6 (M-V: 4, M-V KM: 2) | |
| Failures | 1 (M-V) | |
| Maiden flight | M-V: 12 February 1997 M-V KM: 3 July 1998 |
|
| Last flight | M-V: 22 September 2006 M-V KM: 9 May 2003 |
|
| Notable payloads | Haruka, Nozomi, ASTRO-E, Hayabusa Suzaku, Akari Hinode |
|
| First Stage - M-14 | ||
| Engines | 1 Solid | |
| Thrust | 3,780.345 kN (849,855 lbf) | |
| Specific Impulse | 246 sec | |
| Burn time | 46 seconds | |
| Fuel | Solid | |
| Second Stage - M-24 | ||
| Engines | 1 Solid | |
| Thrust | 1,245.287 kN (279,952 lbf) | |
| Specific Impulse | 203 sec | |
| Burn time | 71 seconds | |
| Fuel | Solid | |
| Third Stage - M-34 | ||
| Engines | 1 Solid | |
| Thrust | 294 kN (66,093 lbf) | |
| Specific Impulse | 301 sec | |
| Burn time | 102 seconds | |
| Fuel | Solid | |
| Fourth Stage - KM-V1 | ||
| Engines | 1 Solid | |
| Thrust | 51.9 kN (11,668 lbf) | |
| Specific Impulse | 298 sec | |
| Burn time | 73 seconds | |
| Fuel | Solid | |
The M-V rocket, also called M-5 or Mu-5, was a Japanese solid-fuel rocket designed to launch scientific satellites. It was a member of the Mu family of rockets. The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) began developing the M-V in 1990 at a cost of 15 billion yen. It has three stages and is 30.7 meters high, 2.5 meters in diameter, and weighs about 140 tonnes (310,000 pounds). It was capable of launching a satellite weighing 1.8 tonnes (2 short tons) into an orbit as high as 250 km (155 miles).
The first M-V rocket launched the HALCA radio astronomy satellite in 1997, and the second the Nozomi Mars explorer in July 1998. The third rocket attempted to launch the Astro-E X-ray satellite on February 10, 2000 but failed.
ISAS recovered from this setback and launched Hayabusa to 25143 Itokawa in 2003.
The following M-V launch was the scientific Astro-E2 satellite, a replacement for Astro-E, which took place on July 10, 2005.
The final launch was that of the Hinode (SOLAR-B) spacecraft, along with the SSSat microsat and a nanosatellite, HIT-SAT, on 22 September 2006.
Contents |
[edit] National security
There were concerns[citation needed] that the development of this three-stage solid fuel rocket, unusual for space exploration, was motivated by military concerns despite Japan’s non-nuclear policy. Solid fuel rockets are the design of choice for military applications as they can remain in storage for long periods, and then reliably launch at a moments notice.
Lawmakers made national security arguments for keeping Japan's solid-fuel rocket technology alive after ISAS was merged into the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which also has the H-IIA liquid-fuelled rocket. in 2003. The ISAS director of external affairs, Yasunori Matogawa, said, "It seems the hard-line national security proponents in parliament are increasing their influence, and they aren't getting much criticism…I think we’re moving into a very dangerous period. When you consider the current environment and the threat from North Korea, it’s scary."[1]
There are reports[citation needed] that the M-V design was modeled after the LG-118A Peacekeeper ICBM which has similar dimensions and payload, and is also a three-stage solid fuel rocket. The M-V design could be weaponised quickly[citation needed] although this would be politically difficult.[2]
[edit] M-V flights
| Date (UTC) | Flight | Payload | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 12, 1997 04:50:00 | M-V-1 | Muses B (HALCA) | Success |
| July 3, 1998 18:12:00 | M-V-3 | Planet B (Nozomi) | Success |
| February 10, 2000 01:30:00 | M-V-4 | ASTRO-E | Failure |
| May 9, 2003 04:29:25 | M-V-5 | Muses C (Hayabusa) | Success |
| July 10, 2005 03:30:00 | M-V-6 | ASTRO-E2 (Suzaku) | Success |
| February 21, 2006 21:28:00 | M-V-8 | ASTRO-F (Akari) CUTE-1.7-APD SSP (solar sail sub payload) |
Success SSP failed to open completely |
| September 22, 2006 21:36 | M-V-7 | Solar-B (Hinode) HIT-SAT SSSAT(solar sail) |
Success SSSat failed after launch |
[edit] References
- ^ Karl Schoenberger. "Japan ponders nuclear weapons", Detroit Free Press, July 11, 2003.
- ^ William E. Rapp (January 2004). "Paths Diverging? The Next Decade in the US-Japan Security Alliance". Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College.
[edit] External links
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