H3-22 | Michibiki 5 (QZS-5)
H3-22 • H3
📝 Mission Description
This H3-22 launch carries the H3-22 | Michibiki 5 (QZS-5) mission, scheduled for December 31, 2025. The mission aims to deliver important payloads to orbit, contributing to our understanding of space and advancing technological capabilities.
ℹ️ Official Details
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.
🎯 Post-Launch Analysis
The H3-22 mission, launched on December 22, 2025, aimed to deploy Michibiki 5 (QZS-5) into orbit as part of Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) for enhanced navigation in urban and mountainous regions. Unfortunately, the launch vehicle encountered technical anomalies during ascent, compromising mission execution. While specific details of the anomalies remain under investigation, this incident prevented successful payload deployment, and orbital achievement for QZS-5 was not confirmed. Key engineering outcomes highlight the need for rigorous pre-launch testing and real-time anomaly detection improvements on the H3 rocket platform. This setback could delay the expansion of the QZSS constellation, impacting regional navigation capabilities. For future missions, a thorough root cause analysis and corrective measures will be critical to restore confidence in the H3 system and ensure reliability for subsequent QZSS deployments and other payloads.