Hughes Space and Communications has cancelled an order for 10 satellite launches by Japan's uprated H-2A booster. This leaves Space Systems/Loral as the vehicle's only commercial customer, with 10 launch options.
The US company says the terms of its 1996 contract called for cancellation of the order if the H-2, on which the H-2A is based, suffered two back-to-back failures. The Japanese booster failed on its last two launches in February and November last year. Japan's Rocket System, which markets H-2A launches, will refund Hughes' $30 million deposit.
Citing its desire to encourage new entrants into the commercial launch market, Hughes says it has not cancelled 10 options for future H-2A launches. These could be exercised if Japan gets the simplified, lower-cost version of the booster, the H-2A, operational. The delayed first launch of theH-2A is due early next year.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is keeping to plans to launch the delayed Artemis advanced relay and technology mission satellite next February aboard the first H2A in a non-commercial arrangement.
With Japan getting 40% use of Artemis, ESA declined to fly Artemis on the Boeing Delta III, which is looking for a customer. The first H2A will also carry a small Japanese re-entry vehicle.
Source: Flight International
