Lambda (rocket family)
Lambda is the name of a series of Japanese
Lambda series rockets did not have
guidance systems, as they had the potential to be converted for offensive military use, thus interpreted as a violation of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution. However, future Japanese launch vehicles, such as the H-II, were allowed to have guidance systems.[12]
Configurations
Lambda types differ regarding the upper stages used. The following table shows the actual configurations:[2]
Type | Boosters | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lambda 2 | - | L-735 | K-420 | - | - |
Lambda 3 | - | L-735 | K-420 | Kappa-8
|
- |
Lambda 3H | - | L-735 | L-735(1/3) | L-500 | - |
Lambda 4S | 2 × SB-310 | L-735 | L-735(1/3) | L-500 | L-480S |
Lambda 4SC | 2 × SB-310 | L-735 | L-735(1/3) | L-500 | L-480S |
Lambda 4T | 2 × SB-310 | L-735 | L-735(1/3) | L-500 | L-480S |
Launches
Lambda rockets were launched by ISAS, from Kagoshima pad L.[1][2]
On February 11, 1970, the first Japanese satellite Ohsumi was launched using a Lambda 4S rocket.
The Lambda 4S was launched nine times, though five were failures.[13][8] The first launch of the Lambda 4S rocket took place on September 26, 1966, from Kagoshima.[14] A fourth-stage attitude control failed resulting in loss of the vehicle and payload.
Date | Version | Apogee (km) | Mission |
---|---|---|---|
1963 August 24 | Lambda 2 | 51 | Failure |
1963 December 11 | Lambda 2 | 410 | Ionosphere mission |
1964 July 11 | Lambda 3 | 857 | Ionosphere mission |
1965 January 31 | Lambda 3 | 1040 | Ionosphere mission |
1965 March 18 | Lambda 3 | 1085 | X-ray astronomy mission |
1966 March 5 | Lambda 3H | 1829 | X-ray astronomy mission |
1966 July 23 | Lambda 3H | 1800 | Gyro-plasma probe Ionosphere / aeronomy mission |
1966 September 26 | Lambda 4S | 400 | Ohsumi launch attempt. Failure: Fourth stage attitude control failed |
1966 December 20 | Lambda 4S | 400 | Ohsumi launch attempt. Failure: Fourth stage failed to ignite |
1967 February 6 | Lambda 3H | 2150 | Ionosphere / chemical release / x-ray astronomy mission |
1967 April 13 | Lambda 4S | 200 | Ohsumi launch attempt. Failure: Fourth stage failed to ignite |
1969 January 16 | Lambda 3H | 1800 | Ionosphere mission |
1969 September 3 | Lambda 4T | 400 | Test mission |
1969 September 22 | Lambda 4S | 400 | Ohsumi launch attempt. Failure: Fourth stage control system malfunction after third stage collided with fourth stage |
1970 January 21 | Lambda 3H | 1848 | Ionosphere / plasma mission |
1970 February 11 | Lambda 4S | 2440 | Ohsumi (first successful satellite of Japan, fifth attempt of Lambda 4S) |
1970 September 19 | Lambda 3H | 2017 | X-ray / ultraviolet astronomy mission |
1971 August 20 | Lambda 4SC | 1500 | Failure |
1971 September 3 | Lambda 3H | 1718 | Aeronomy / ionosphere / x-ray astronomy mission |
1973 January 28 | Lambda 4SC | 1500 | TVC test |
1974 January 22 | Lambda 3H | 1571 | St 2: 329 km X-ray astronomy mission |
1974 September 1 | Lambda 4SC | 1500 | TVC test |
1976 August 30 | Lambda 4SC | 1500 | Radar transponder |
1977 August 16 | Lambda 3H | 1294 | Aeronomy / ionosphere / plasma mission |
1979 September 20 | Lambda 4SC | 82 | TVC test |
References
- ^ a b "Lambda". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Krebs, Gunter D (2024). "L class". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
- ^ "Lambda 2". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ "LSC-3". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ "Lambda 3". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ "Lambda 3H". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
- ^ "Lambda 4S". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
- ^ a b "L-4S". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
- ^ "Lambda 4SC". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
- ^ "Lambda 4T". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
- ^ "A short history of the Prince Motor Co., Ltd". Nissan. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
- ^ "H-II Launch Vehicle". JAXA. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
- ^ "Lambda 4". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ "Lambda 4S". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-09.