The logo of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Photo: Jiji Press
The agency submitted the plan to the day's meeting of a subcommittee of the science ministry, which approved it.
The Epsilon S is an improved version of the Epsilon three-stage, solid-fuel rocket.
JAXA initially planned to launch the Epsilon S in fiscal 2024.
However, it was postponed due to explosions in July 2023 and November 2024 during ground combustion tests for the second-stage rocket engines with enhanced propellant.
JAXA is investigating the cause of the accidents by conducting replica experiments using a model about one-fifth the size of the Epsilon S, resulting in a prolonged inability for the agency to launch planned small satellites using the launch vehicle.
The agency therefore decided to use the second-stage engine of the Epsilon, which has already been successfully launched, for the Epsilon S for the time being, with the aim of resuming launches as soon as possible.
