The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has put put back the first launch of its H3 rocket to 2021.

Japanese space agency H3 rocket launch delayed

It has announced that a technical problem has been identified in the LE-9 first-stage engine, which is under development.

“In order to address the problem in an appropriate manner,” states the agency, “JAXA has decided to postpone the launch of the first test flight from the Japanese fiscal year (JFY) 2020 to JFY 2021 and that of the second test flight from JFY 2021 to JFY 2022.”

JAXA adds:

“JAXA will deal with the LE-9 engine-related problem in an appropriate manner and make an all-out effort for the successful launch of the H3 as a new Japan’s mainstay rocket.”

The H3 is Japan’s new flagship launch vehicle, a successor to the H-IIA and H-IIB. Its aim is that Japan can maintain autonomous access to space to launch satellites and probes, including missions for the Japanese government.

JAXA says that it is eager to launch commercial satellites every year as well.