J-I
A third new launch vehicle concepts emerged during 1991-1992. Called J-I, the new booster would serve the small satellite community with a one-metric-ton payload capacity to LEO in its basic configuration. After some evolution the J-I design solidified around a 3-stage, solid-propellant vehicle using modified H-II strap-on booster for the first stage and the second and third stages of the current M-3SII, with a LEO payload capacity of up to 900 kg. Growth options include adding two or more small strap-on boosters or augmenting the first stage with two additional H-II class strap-ons. The project, approved in 1993, is being sponsored by NASDA with cooperation from ISAS. The first orbital mission is scheduled for 1998, but a 2-stage sub-orbital mission HYFLEX (Hypersonics Flight Experiment) may be conducted as early as 1996. HYFLEX test design and modeling principles are critical to the development of a future space plane (References 124 and 135-139).
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