Encyclopedia Astronautica
H-2 HIMES

Japanese orbital launch vehicle. Concept of H-2 augmented with Liquid-Air Cycle Engine boosters and advanced HIMES upper stage.

Flyaway Unit Cost $: 170.000 million in 1985 dollars.

Stage Data - H-2 HIMES

  • Stage 0. 9 x LACE. Gross Mass: 8,000 kg (17,600 lb). Empty Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Thrust (vac): 147.000 kN (33,046 lbf). Isp: 1,200 sec. Burn time: 470 sec. Isp(sl): 1,200 sec. Diameter: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Span: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Length: 8.00 m (26.20 ft). Propellants: Liquid Air/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: LACE/LE-5. Other designations: Liquid Air Cycle Engine. Status: Study.
  • Stage 1. 1 x H-2-1. Gross Mass: 98,100 kg (216,200 lb). Empty Mass: 11,900 kg (26,200 lb). Thrust (vac): 1,077.996 kN (242,343 lbf). Isp: 446 sec. Burn time: 346 sec. Isp(sl): 349 sec. Diameter: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Span: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Length: 28.00 m (91.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: LE-7. Other designations: LE-7. Status: In Production.
  • Stage 2. 1 x HIMES. Gross Mass: 13,600 kg (29,900 lb). Empty Mass: 3,100 kg (6,800 lb). Thrust (vac): 274.000 kN (61,597 lbf). Isp: 452 sec. Burn time: 167 sec. Isp(sl): 340 sec. Diameter: 2.40 m (7.80 ft). Span: 9.25 m (30.34 ft). Length: 13.60 m (44.60 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 2. Engine: HIMES. Status: Study.

Status: Design 1999.
Gross mass: 183,700 kg (404,900 lb).
Height: 50.00 m (164.00 ft).
Diameter: 4.00 m (13.10 ft).
Thrust: 2,167.44 kN (487,260 lbf).

More... - Chronology...
Associated Countries
Associated Engines
  • HIMES Mitsubishi lox/lh2 rocket engine. 137.3 kN. Design 1999. Isp=452s. Used on H-2 HIMES launch vehicle. More...
  • LACE/LE-5 Mitsubishi air augmented Liquid Air/LH2 rocket engine. 147.1 kN. Design 1999. Isp=1200s. Used on H-2 HIMES launch vehicle. More...
  • LE-7 Mitsubishi lox/lh2 rocket engine for H-2 upper stage. 1078 kN. Staged combustion turbopump. No throttle capability. Isp=446s. First flight 1994. More...
See also
  • H-2 Heavy lift Japanese indigenous launch vehicle. The original H-2 version was cancelled due to high costs and poor reliability and replaced by the substantially redesigned H-2A.

    3 stage vehicle consisted of 2 x H-II SRB + 1 x H-II stage 1 + 1 x H-II stage 2 More...

Associated Manufacturers and Agencies
  • Mitsubishi Japanese manufacturer of rockets, spacecraft, and rocket engines. Mitsubishi Electric Corp, Japan. More...
Associated Stages
  • H-2-1 Lox/LH2 propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 98,100/11,900 kg. Thrust 1,078.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 446 seconds. More...
  • HIMES Lox/LH2 propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 13,600/3,100 kg. Thrust 274.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 452 seconds. More...
  • LACE Liquid Air/LH2 propellant rocket stage. Loaded/empty mass 8,000/2,000 kg. Thrust 147.00 kN. Vacuum specific impulse 1200 seconds. More...
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