Japan's aerospace strength is not weak, and they hide a lot of things on the surface of low-key. Just today, they successfully launched a rocket that sent 9 satellites into space.
Japan is 9 stars in one shot
The reason why this rocket launch is interesting is not because it was successful, nor because it was a 9-star arrow, but because it is a solid rocket.
Japan's "Epsilon" rocket is a three-stage solid rocket with a diameter of 2.6 meters, a height of 26 meters, a weight of about 94 tons, can launch a payload of 1200 kg into low Earth orbit, and has a sun-synchronous orbit carrying capacity.
Epsilon 5
The first stage of "Epsilon" 5 is srb-a3, which is improved from the solid boost of H2a with a thrust of 2271 kN; the second stage M-35, with a launch mass of more than 12 tons and a vacuum thrust of 372 kN; the third stage is km-v2c, with a vacuum thrust of 99.8 kN and a "specific impulse" of 301 seconds.
This launch is the fifth launch of the "Epsilon" rocket, since the first successful launch in 2013, there has been no record of failure, and the success rate is still quite good.
"Epsilon" rocket
Compared to the H2A rocket, the Epsilon rocket is indeed much smaller. However, because it uses solid fuel, it has the advantages of short launch preparation time and flexible maneuvering.
The "Epsilon" rocket is worrying, everyone knows that ballistic missiles mostly use solid fuel, ballistic missiles can be converted into rockets, the two are the same. Musk wanted to buy missile modification rockets from Russia that year, and the "Epsilon" has a number of solid ballistic missile characteristics.
Intercontinental missiles
Japan's ability to launch solid missiles means that Japan has the capability to develop intercontinental missiles, and even already has. However, some voices on the Internet believe that the shortcomings of the "Epsilon" rocket delivery distance range, excessive mass, and long preparation time are not really intercontinental missile capabilities.
Regardless of whether Japan has the ability to develop intercontinental missiles, it cannot be less vigilant.