# N-II

> Japanese launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q3130574](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3130574)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N-II_(rocket))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/n-ii

## Summary
N-II was a Japanese launch vehicle developed to carry payloads into orbit. It was a derivative of the Delta rocket and used by Japan to launch satellites during the 1980s.

## Key Facts
- N-II was a Japanese launch vehicle used to carry payloads into outer space
- It had a mass of 132,690 kilograms and stood 35 meters tall
- The rocket had a diameter of 2.44 meters and could carry 2,000 kg to low Earth orbit
- N-II was manufactured by both McDonnell Douglas and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
- It launched from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan
- The vehicle was also known as N-2, N2火箭, and N-2運載火箭
- N-II was used to launch satellites including Himawari 2 (1981), Himawari 3 (1984), and MOS-1

## FAQs
### Q: What was N-II?
A: N-II was a Japanese launch vehicle developed in the 1980s to carry satellites into orbit. It was based on the Delta rocket design and could launch payloads of up to 2,000 kg to low Earth orbit.

### Q: Who manufactured N-II?
A: N-II was manufactured by two companies: McDonnell Douglas and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This collaboration combined American rocket technology with Japanese manufacturing capabilities.

### Q: What satellites did N-II launch?
A: N-II launched several Japanese satellites including Himawari 2 and Himawari 3 meteorological satellites, as well as the MOS-1 Earth observation satellite. These launches helped establish Japan's space capabilities.

## Why It Matters
N-II represented a crucial step in Japan's development of independent space launch capabilities. As a licensed version of the Delta rocket, it allowed Japan to leverage proven American technology while building domestic expertise in rocket manufacturing and operations. The vehicle enabled Japan to deploy its own meteorological and Earth observation satellites, reducing dependence on foreign launch services for critical national infrastructure. N-II's success demonstrated Japan's growing technical sophistication in aerospace engineering and helped establish the foundation for more advanced Japanese launch vehicles that followed. The program also fostered valuable international collaboration between Japanese and American aerospace industries, creating knowledge transfer that benefited Japan's space program for decades to come.

## Notable For
- First Japanese launch vehicle capable of carrying 2-ton payloads to orbit
- Successfully launched Japan's first geostationary meteorological satellites (Himawari series)
- Represented successful technology transfer from American to Japanese aerospace industry
- Enabled Japan to achieve independent access to space for national satellite programs
- Served as developmental bridge between licensed foreign technology and fully indigenous Japanese rockets

## Body
### Development and Design
N-II was developed as a licensed version of the Delta rocket, specifically the Delta 1000 series. The Japanese space agency NASDA (National Space Development Agency of Japan) partnered with McDonnell Douglas to produce the vehicle domestically through Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This approach allowed Japan to quickly acquire proven launch technology while building local manufacturing capabilities.

### Technical Specifications
The N-II stood 35 meters tall with a diameter of 2.44 meters and weighed 132,690 kilograms at launch. It used a combination of liquid and solid rocket stages, similar to the Delta configuration it was based on. The vehicle could deliver 2,000 kg to low Earth orbit or 730 kg to geostationary transfer orbit, making it suitable for a range of satellite missions.

### Launch History and Applications
N-II made its first flight in the early 1980s and was primarily used for Japanese government and commercial satellite launches. The rocket successfully deployed the Himawari meteorological satellite series, which provided critical weather monitoring for the Asia-Pacific region. It also launched the MOS-1 Earth observation satellite, marking Japan's entry into civilian remote sensing capabilities.

### Legacy and Impact
The N-II program provided valuable experience that informed the development of Japan's subsequent indigenous launch vehicles, including the H-I and H-II series. While the vehicle itself was eventually replaced by more advanced designs, the knowledge gained from N-II operations and manufacturing proved essential for Japan's long-term space ambitions. The program demonstrated that Japan could successfully adapt and manufacture complex aerospace technology, establishing a foundation for the country's current position as a major spacefaring nation.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013