Space


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).

J-I


Background Information
First Launch:
February 1996
Flight Rate:
2 per year
Launch Site:
Osaki Launch Site (Tanegashima, Japan)
Capability:
1,980 lb to LEO

History

  • Conceptual study conducted in 1991
  • Preliminary design conducted in 1983
  • Critical design conducted in 1994
  • First flight in February 1996

Description

  • Three-stage vehicle combining the H-II solid rocket booster for stage 1 and the M-3SII upper stages for stage 2 and 3 and payload fairing
  • Stage 1 burns HTPB composite grain fuel, generating 350,000 lb of thrust
  • Stage 2 burns HTPB composite grain fuel, generating 118,000 lb of thrust
  • Stage 3 burns HTPB composite grain fuel, generating 29,700 lb of thrust

Profile

Length:
108.6 ft
Launch Weight:
196,000 lb
Diameter:
5.9 ft (stage 1)
Liftoff Thrust:
350,700 lb
Payload Fairing:
22.5 ft x 5.4 ft


 

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