Mu-3S2

M-3S2

Mission Profile

Mu-3S2 (M-3S2) was a four-stage all-solid-propellant launch vehicle developed by Japan's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and the final operational member of the Mu rocket series before its replacement by the more capable M-V. Standing 27.8 meters tall and weighing 61,000 kg at liftoff, it generated 1,068 kN of thrust and could deliver 770 kg to low Earth orbit. Active from January 1985 through 1995, the Mu-3S2 launched a distinguished series of science missions including the Suisei Halley's Comet probe, the MUSES-A lunar flyby spacecraft, and the Geotail magnetospheric satellite, establishing Japan's reputation for world-class solar system science on a tight budget.