Solid-Rocket Motor Design Flaw Cited in November H-2A Failure

摘要

A solid-rocket booster design flaw rather than a manufacturing error was the culprit in the Nov. 29 failure of Japan's H-2A launcher, a mishap that destroyed a pair of national security imaging satellites, an investigative panel has concluded. Extensive redesign and testing of the H-2A's Solid Rocket Booster A (SRB-A) strap-on motor will be required before the H-2A vehicle can launch again, the 14-member panel said. Japanese authorities declined to predict how long that process will take or when the H-2A will return to flight.