HTV-X无人货运飞船全长约8米、直径约4.4米，可向近地轨道运送大约6吨有效载荷。该飞船是日 本"鹳"号货运飞船的后继机型，能运送需低温保存的实验样本，脱离空间站后还能在轨飞行最长一年半 时间，可作为太空实验平台使用。（完） 据JAXA介绍，飞船此后会自动飞往国际空间站，并在约4天后与空间站对接。在对接期间，宇航员将 把飞船带去的物资搬入国际空间站，将空间站产生的废弃物装入飞船，并在空间站的日本"希望"号实验 舱外安装飞船送去的一个小型暴露实验平台。 按计划，飞船卸货完毕脱离空间站后还将在轨飞行约3个月，以执行技术验证任务，包括在约500千米的 高空释放一颗小型卫星、在轨验证可展开轻量平面天线及下一代太空太阳能电池等。 新华社东京10月26日电（记者钱铮）日本新一代货运飞船HTV-X于26日首次发射升空，为国际空间站 送去食品和实验设备等物资。 日本宇宙航空研究开发机构（JAXA）的直播画面显示，当日9时（北京时间8时），一枚H3火箭携 HTV-X1号飞船从位于日本南部的种子岛宇宙中心大型火箭发射场升空。发射约14分钟后，火箭将飞船 送入预定的椭圆形轨道。 ...

Core Viewpoint - The successful launch of Japan's H2A rocket marks the end of its operational life, with implications for Japan's space ambitions, but the transition to the new H3 rocket is expected to mitigate the impact [1][3]. Group 1: H2A Rocket Launch and Retirement - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries successfully launched the H2A rocket for the 50th time, delivering the GOSAT-GW satellite into orbit [1][3]. - The H2A rocket has achieved a 98% success rate over its 50 missions since its first launch in 2001, with only one failure recorded [3]. - The H2A rocket will be officially retired, with the H3 rocket taking over its responsibilities for satellite launches [3]. Group 2: H3 Rocket and Future Prospects - The H3 rocket, which has a higher payload capacity and lower launch costs, is set to replace the H2A rocket, addressing Japan's need for competitive pricing in the international commercial launch market [4]. - The launch cost of the H3 rocket is approximately 5 billion yen (about 34.5 million USD), which is half the cost of the H2A rocket's launch price of around 10 billion yen (about 69 million USD) [4]. - The H3 rocket has successfully completed four consecutive launches after an initial failure in 2023, indicating improving reliability and performance for future missions [3].

Core Viewpoint - The H2A rocket successfully completed its 50th and final launch, marking the end of its operational life, and successfully deployed the Earth observation satellite "Breath GW" into orbit [1][2] Group 1: H2A Rocket Details - The H2A rocket is a two-stage liquid-fueled rocket, measuring 53 meters in length, with a weight of 289 tons when equipped with two solid boosters [1] - It has a geostationary transfer orbit payload capacity of approximately 4 tons and a low Earth orbit capacity of up to 10 tons [1] - Since its first launch in 2001, the H2A rocket has conducted 50 missions, with only one failure, but each launch costs around 10 billion yen (approximately 69 million USD), which has limited its competitiveness in the international commercial launch market [1] Group 2: "Breath GW" Satellite - The "Breath GW" satellite, developed by Japan's Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, is designed for global greenhouse gas and water cycle observation [2] - It features a high-performance microwave radiometer that adds two observation frequency bands, enhancing the resolution of existing bands, enabling the observation of snowfall and precipitation in high-latitude regions [2] - The satellite is equipped with a greenhouse gas emission mapping spectrometer that can observe carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen dioxide with greater range and precision [2] Group 3: Future Developments - The H2A rocket will be succeeded by the H3 rocket, which offers greater payload capacity and lower costs [1]