H-II with SSB

H-2 SSB H-II with Solid Strap-on Booster

Mission Profile

The H-II with SSB (H-2 SSB, H-II with Solid Strap-on Booster) was a two-stage Japanese launch vehicle in the H-II family, the first fully indigenously developed Japanese launch vehicle with solid strap-on boosters for enhanced GTO performance. Standing approximately 49 m tall with a 4 m core diameter, it featured an LE-7 cryogenic first-stage engine. First flying in March 1995, the H-II with SSB demonstrated Japan's ability to independently develop and operate a cryogenic launch vehicle.