MISSION NAME
Kiku-3 3
Status
Success
DATE
11 FEB 1981
LAUNCH PROVIDER
National Space Development Agency of Japan
Launch Pad
Osaki Launch Complex
Description
Test satellite
N-2
Rocket Description
The N-II or N-2 was a derivative of the American Delta rocket, produced under licence in Japan. It replaced the N-I-rocket in Japanese use. It used a Thor-ELT first stage, a Delta-F second stage, nine Castor SRMs, and on most flights either a Star-37E or Burner-2 upper stage, identical to the US Delta 0100 series configurations. Eight were launched between 1981 and 1987, before it was replaced by the H-I, which featured Japanese-produced upper stages. All eight launches were successful.