The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has formally appointed Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd to build and operate the new H-X launch vehicle which is expected to be eventually called the H-III (H-3). This new launch vehicle, which is the successor to the H-IIA and H-IIB series of rockets, will use LOx (liquid Oxygen)/Liquid Hydrogen crygenic powered first and second stages, supplemented by up to six solid rocket boosters, depending on the mass of the payload carried. The entire H-X project is expected to cost the Yen equivalent of $1.9 billion with the first launch of the rocket expected in 2020.
