N-I (rocket)

N-I
	The N-I rocket
Function	Carrier rocket
Manufacturer	McDonnell Douglas (design); Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (production)
Country of origin	United States (design); Japan (production)
Size
Height	34 metres (112 ft)
Diameter	2.44 metres (8.0 ft)
Mass	131,330 kilograms (289,530 lb)
Stages	2 or 3
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass	1,200 kilograms (2,600 lb)
Payload to GTO
Mass	360 kilograms (790 lb)
Associated rockets
Family	Delta
Launch history
Status	Retired
Launch sites	LA-N, Tanegashima
Total launches	7
Success(es)	6
Partial failure(s)	1
First flight	9 September 1975
Last flight	3 September 1982
Boosters – Castor 2
No. boosters	3
Powered by	1 TX-354-3
Maximum thrust	258.9 kilonewtons (58,200 lbf)
Specific impulse	262 sec
Burn time	37 seconds
Propellant	Solid
First stage – Thor-ELT
Powered by	1 MB-3-3
Maximum thrust	866.7 kilonewtons (194,800 lbf)
Specific impulse	290 sec
Burn time	270 seconds
Propellant	RP-1/LOX
Second stage
Powered by	1 LE-3
Maximum thrust	52.9 kilonewtons (11,900 lbf)
Specific impulse	290 sec
Burn time	246 seconds
Propellant	NTO/A-50
Third stage (optional) – Star-37N
Powered by	1 solid
Maximum thrust	45 kilonewtons (10,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	290 sec
Burn time	42 seconds
Propellant	Solid
	[edit on Wikidata]

The N-I or N-1 was a derivative of the American Thor-Delta rocket, produced under license in Japan. The N stood for "Nippon" (Japan). It used a Long Tank Thor first stage, a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-designed LE-3 engine on the second stage,^[3]^[4]^[5] and three Castor SRMs.^[2]^[6] Seven were launched between 1975 and 1982, before it was replaced by the N-II. Six of the seven launches were successful, however on the fifth flight, there was recontact between the satellite and the third stage, which caused the satellite to fail.

On 29 February 1976, the second N-I conducted the only orbital launch, as of 17 February 2024, to occur on a leap day.^[7]

Launch history

Flight No.	Date / time (UTC)	Launch site	Payload^[8]	Payload mass	Orbit	Launch outcome
1(F)	9 September 1975 05:30^[9]	Tanegashima	Engineering Test Satellite I "KIKU-1"(ETS-I)	82.5kg^[10]	LEO	Success
1(F)
2(F)	29 February 1976 03:30^[9]	Tanegashima	Ionosphere Sounding Satellite "UME"(ISS)	139kg^[11]	LEO	Success
2(F)
3(F)	23 February 1977 08:50^[9]	Tanegashima	Engineering Test Satellite II "KIKU-2"(ETS-II)	130kg^[12]	GTO	Success
3(F)	3rd stage used
4(F)	16 February 1978 04:00^[9]	Tanegashima	Ionosphere Sounding Satellite "UME-2"(ISS-b)	141kg^[11]	LEO	Success
4(F)
5(F)	6 February 1979 08:46^[9]	Tanegashima	Experimental Communications Satellites "Ayame"(ECS)	130kg^[13]	GTO	Partial failure
5(F)	3rd stage used; Recontact between satellite and upper stage.
6(F)	22 February 1980 08:35^[9]	Tanegashima	Experimental Communications Satellites "Ayame-2"(ECS-b)	130kg^[13]	GTO	Success
6(F)	3rd stage used; Satellite failed shortly after separation.
9(F)	3 September 1982 05:00^[9]	Tanegashima	Engineering Test Satellite III "KIKU-4"(ETS-III)	385kg^[14]	LEO	Success
9(F)

Payload Descriptions

Engineering Test Satellite I "KIKU-1" (ETS-1)

ETS-1 was the first satellite launched by the NASDA. It had the objective of acquiring information on N-series launch vehicles, orbit injection, and tracking and control.^[10] It ceased operations on 28 April 1982.

Ionosphere Sounding Satellite "UME" (ISS)

UME was Japan's first Ionosphere Sounding Satellite.^[11] It was used to monitor radio waves in the ionosphere and forecast conditions for shortwave communications. A power supply issue caused Ume to stop functioning one month after launch.^[15]

Engineering Test Satellite II "KIKU-2" (ETS-2)

KIKU-2 was NASDA's first satellite launched to GEO.^[12] It was intended to gather data on geostationary satellite launch, tracking, control, orbit maintenance, and attitude control as well as carrying out experiments on communications equipment. KIKU-2 ceased operations on 10 December 1990, leaving GEO.

Ionosphere Sounding Satellite "UME-2" (ISS-b)

UME-2 had similar goals to the original UME satellite, but was much more successful in carrying them out. While it was originally intended to gather data for only a year and a half, UME-2 ceased operations on 23 February 1983.

Experimental Communications Satellites "Ayame/Ayame-2" (ECS/ECS-b)

Both ECS satellites were unsuccessful in completing their mission. During the first ECS launch, the third stage rocket collided with the satellite shortly after separation. During the ECS-2 launch, the satellite stopped transmitting shortly after separation. The satellites had the intention of conducting millimeter wave experiments. The JAXA website states that "we learned some valuable lessons on satellite separation technology and apogee engine from this experience".^[13]

About Engineering Test Satellite III "KIKU-4" (ETS-III)

KIKU-4 was developed to acquire data on designing earth observation satellites with high power requirements.^[14] KIKU-4 completed testing of three-axis attitude control, deployable solar panels, movable heat control, and ion engine operation. On 8 April 1985, the satellite ran out of fuel and ceased operation.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Wade, Mark. "Delta". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2008.
^ ^a ^b "JAXA Digital Archives". Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Archived from the original on 9 September 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
^ "N-Iロケット開発の歩み". Yukihiko Takenaka, NASDA. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
^ "三菱重工名古屋誘導推進システム製作所事業所紹介沿革". Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Archived from the original on 4 July 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
^ "第1部創造性豊かな科学技術を求めて第2章自主技術開発への展開第3節先導的・基盤的科学技術分野における自主技術開発の展開 2.宇宙開発". Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 15 June 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
^ Krebs, Gunter. "N-1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
^ Pearlman, Robert (29 February 2016). "Space Station Command Change Is One Giant Leap (Day) for Space History". Space.com. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
^ "JAXA | N-I Launch Vehicle". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g McDowell, Jonathan. "Thor". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
^ ^a ^b "JAXA | Engineering Test Satellite I "KIKU-1" (ETS-I)". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c "JAXA | Ionosphere Sounding Satellite "UME" (ISS)". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b "JAXA | Engineering Test Satellite II "KIKU-2" (ETS-II)". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c "JAXA | Experimental Communications Satellites "Ayame" (ECS)". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b "JAXA | Engineering Test Satellite III "KIKU-4" (ETS-III)". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
^ "ISS a, b (Ume 1, 2)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

[EA-1] Wade, Mark. "Delta". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2008.

[JAXA-archive-2] "JAXA Digital Archives". Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Archived from the original on 9 September 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.

[3] "N-Iロケット開発の歩み". Yukihiko Takenaka, NASDA. Retrieved 10 February 2011.

[MHInagoya-4] "三菱重工名古屋誘導推進システム製作所事業所紹介沿革". Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Archived from the original on 4 July 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.

[5] "第1部創造性豊かな科学技術を求めて第2章自主技術開発への展開第3節先導的・基盤的科学技術分野における自主技術開発の展開 2.宇宙開発". Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 15 June 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2011.

[GSP-6] Krebs, Gunter. "N-1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 31 August 2008.

[x-7] Pearlman, Robert (29 February 2016). "Space Station Command Change Is One Giant Leap (Day) for Space History". Space.com. Retrieved 2 November 2017.

[8] "JAXA | N-I Launch Vehicle". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

[JSR-9] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g McDowell, Jonathan. "Thor". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2008.

[:0-10] "JAXA | Engineering Test Satellite I "KIKU-1" (ETS-I)". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

[:1-11] "JAXA | Ionosphere Sounding Satellite "UME" (ISS)". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

[:2-12] "JAXA | Engineering Test Satellite II "KIKU-2" (ETS-II)". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

[:3-13] "JAXA | Experimental Communications Satellites "Ayame" (ECS)". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

[:4-14] "JAXA | Engineering Test Satellite III "KIKU-4" (ETS-III)". JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

[15] "ISS a, b (Ume 1, 2)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

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v t e Orbital launch systems
List of orbital launch systems Comparison of orbital launch systems
Current	Angara 1.2 A5 Ariane 6 Atlas V Ceres 1 1S Chollima-1 Electron Falcon 9 Block 5 Falcon Heavy Firefly Alpha Gravity-1 GSLV H-IIA H3 Hyperbola-1 Jielong 1 3 KAIROS^† Kaituozhe 2 Kinetica 1 Kuaizhou 1 1A 11 Long March 2C 2D 2F 3A 3B/E 3C 4B 4C 5 5B 6 6A 7 7A 8 11 11H LVM3 Minotaur I IV V C Nuri OS-M1^† Pegasus XL Proton-M PSLV Qaem 100 Qased RS1^† Shavit 2 Simorgh SLS Block 1 Soyuz-2 2.1a / STA 2.1b / STB 2-1v SSLV Starship Tianlong-2 Unha Vega original C Vulcan Centaur Zhuque 2
In development	Antares 330 Bloostar Cyclone-4M Epsilon S Eris Gravity-2 Hyperbola-2 Irtysh Kuaizhou 21 31 Long March 9 10 12 Miura 5 MLV Neutron New Glenn New Line 1 NGLV Nova OS-M 2 4 Orbex Prime Pallas-1 Red Dwarf SLS Block 1B Block 2 Soyuz-7 Terran R Tianlong-3 VLM Vega E Zero Zhuque 3 Zuljanah
Retired	Antares 110 120 130^† 230 230+ Ariane 1 2 3 4 5 ASLV Athena I II Atlas B D E/F G H I II III LV-3B SLV-3 Able^† Agena Centaur Black Arrow Conestoga^† Delta A B C D E G J L M N 0100 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 II III IV IV Heavy Diamant Dnepr Energia Epsilon Europa I^† II^† Falcon 1 Falcon 9 v1.0 v1.1 v1.2 "Full Thrust" Feng Bao 1 GSLV Mk I H-I H-II H-IIB Juno I Juno II Kaituozhe-1 Kosmos original 1 2/2I 3 3M Lambda 4S LauncherOne Long March 1 1D^† 2A 2E 3 3B 4A Mu 4S 3C 3H 3S 3SII V N1^† N-I N-II Naro-1 Paektusan^† Pilot-2^† R-7 Luna Molniya M L Polyot Soyuz original FG L M U U2 Soyuz/Vostok Sputnik Voskhod Vostok L K 2 2M R-29 Shtil' Volna^† Rocket 3 Safir 1 1A 1B Saturn I IB V Scout X-1 Blue Scout II^† X-2^† X-2M X-3 X-3M X-4 X-2B^† B A B-1 D-1 A-1 E-1 F-1 G-1 Shavit original 1 SLV Space Shuttle SPARK^† Sparta SS-520 Start-1 Terran 1^† Thor Able Ablestar 1 2 Agena A B D Burner 1 2 Delta DSV-2U Thorad-Agena SLV-2G SLV-2H Titan II GLV IIIA IIIB IIIC IIID IIIE 34D 23G CT-3 IV Tsyklon R-36-O original 2 3 Universal Rocket UR-500 Proton Proton-K Rokot Strela Vanguard VLS-1^† Zenit 2 2M 2FG 3SL 3SLB 3F Zhuque 1^†
Classes	Sounding rocket Small-lift launch vehicle Medium-lift launch vehicle Heavy-lift launch vehicle Super heavy-lift launch vehicle
This Template lists historical, current, and future space rockets that at least once attempted (but not necessarily succeeded in) an orbital launch or that are planned to attempt such a launch in the future Symbol ^† indicates past or current rockets that attempted orbital launches but never succeeded (never did or has yet to perform a successful orbital launch)