N-I

N-1

Mission Profile

N-I (N-1) is Japan's first indigenous medium-lift orbital launch vehicle, developed by NASDA using licensed McDonnell Douglas Thor-Delta technology for the first and second stages combined with a domestically built cryogenic third stage. First flying on 9 September 1975, it stood 32.6 meters tall and could deliver 1,200 kg to LEO. N-I launched important Japanese applications satellites including early communications and meteorological spacecraft, proving Japan's capability in domestic space launch infrastructure development.