Japan successfully launches new H3 rocket after failure last year

FILE PHOTO: An H3 rocket carrying a land observation satellite is seen before its launch at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan February 17, 2023, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Kyodo via REUTERS/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's space agency on Saturday successfully launched a second test model of its new flagship rocket H3, in a welcome boost to its space program after last year's inaugural flight failed.

The launch further burnishes the country's space credentials, following the historic "pinpoint" moon landing of Japan's SLIM spacecraft last month.