Japan's Science and Technology Agency is negotiating with the powerful national fishing industry in a bid to extend the restrictive 90-day annual period during which satellite launches over the sea can take place from the Tanegashima and Kagoshima launch bases, during 45-day windows in January-February and August-September. The restriction is particularly disadvantageous to the commercial prospects and operation of the H2 launcher (pictured) at Tanegashima (Flight International, 11-17 December, 1996). The H2 is being marketed by the Mitsubishi-led Rocket Systems and has received 20 launch orders from US companies Hughes and Loral for flights after 2000. Satellite customers are not expected to be accommodating and flexible enough to agree to launches at such specific times. Planetary and other launch windows for national science craft will also fall outside the 90-day periods.
Source: Flight International