# M-V

> Japanese solid-fuel rocket

**Wikidata**: [Q1332896](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1332896)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-V)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/m-v

## Summary
The M-V is a Japanese solid-fuel rocket and part of the Mu series of carrier rockets. It was used to launch scientific satellites and spacecraft, including the Hayabusa asteroid sample-return mission. Developed by Nissan, it stands 30.7 meters tall with a 2.5-meter diameter.

## Key Facts
- **Height**: 30.7 meters
- **Diameter**: 2.5 meters
- **Manufacturer**: Nissan
- **Country of Origin**: Japan
- **Notable Payloads**: Nozomi (space probe), Hayabusa (asteroid mission), Akari (infrared satellite), Hinode (space observatory)
- **Launch Failure**: ASTRO-E observatory was lost during a 2000 launch
- **Aliases**: Mu-5, M-5, MV
- **Class**: Part of the Mu rocket series

## FAQs
### Q: What was the M-V rocket used for?
A: The M-V rocket was used to launch scientific satellites, space probes, and observatories for Japan’s space program, including the Hayabusa asteroid mission and Akari infrared satellite.

### Q: Who manufactured the M-V rocket?
A: The M-V was manufactured by Nissan.

### Q: What was the outcome of the ASTRO-E launch?
A: The ASTRO-E space observatory was destroyed during a launch failure in 2000.

## Why It Matters
The M-V rocket played a critical role in advancing Japan’s space exploration capabilities, enabling the deployment of pioneering scientific missions like Hayabusa, which returned samples from an asteroid, and Akari, which mapped the cosmos in infrared. As a solid-fuel rocket, it offered reliability and cost efficiency for launching small to medium-sized payloads. Its development within the Mu series highlighted Japan’s expertise in solid-propellant rocketry, supporting both national and international scientific research. The rocket’s legacy is tied to its contributions to astronomy, planetary science, and technological innovation, despite its relatively short operational lifespan.

## Notable For
- **Solid-Fuel Design**: Relied on solid propellant for simplicity and reliability.
- **Hayabusa Mission**: Launched the first spacecraft to return samples from an asteroid.
- **Scientific Deployments**: Deployed observatories like Hinode (solar studies) and Akari (infrared astronomy).
- **Mu Series Heritage**: Advanced Japan’s Mu-class rocket technology, succeeding earlier Mu models.

## Body
### Technical Specifications
- **Height**: 30.7 meters
- **Diameter**: 2.5 meters
- **Propulsion**: Solid-fuel rocket
- **Manufacturer**: Nissan

### Launch History
- **Notable Launches**:
  - **Hayabusa** (2003): Asteroid sample-return mission.
  - **Akari** (2006): Infrared astronomy satellite.
  - **Hinode** (2006): Solar observatory.
- **Failure**: ASTRO-E launch failure (2000) due to rocket malfunction.

### Related Projects
- **Space Probes**: Nozomi (Mars mission)
- **Satellites**: CUTE-1.7 + APD (amateur radio satellite), HITSat
- **Observatories**: HALCA (radio astronomy)

### Development Context
- **Class**: Part of the Mu rocket series, designed for cost-effective launches of small payloads.
- **Retirement**: The M-V was retired in 2006 due to high operational costs and replaced by the Epsilon rocket.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Rocket",
  "name": "M-V",
  "description": "Japanese solid-fuel rocket part of the Mu series",
  "manufacturer": "Nissan",
  "countryOfOrigin": "Japan",
  "height": "30.7 meters",
  "diameter": "2.5 meters",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-V",
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q285627"
  ],
  "additionalType": "https://schema.org/Spacecraft"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013