Japan Launches New Cheap Rocket

日本推出新型廉價火箭

Jun 12, 2026, 20:03
JapanTechnology

Introduction

Japan's space agency, JAXA, launched the H3 rocket on June 12, 2026. The rocket put six satellites into space.

日本宇宙航空研究開發機構 (JAXA) 於 2026 年 6 月 12 日發射了 H3 火箭，將六顆衛星送入太空。

Main Body

This rocket is a new, cheaper model. It uses three engines and no extra boosters. Japan wants to save money and compete with private companies like SpaceX.

這款火箭是一個新型的廉價機型。它使用了三個引擎，且沒有額外的助推器。日本希望節省成本，並與 SpaceX 等私人公司競爭。

The rocket carried six small satellites. One satellite looks at the ocean. Another satellite studies space trash.

該火箭搭載了六顆小型衛星。其中一顆用於觀測海洋，另一顆則用於研究太空垃圾。

JAXA had problems before. Two rockets failed in 2023 and 2025. JAXA fixed the problems and tested the rocket. Now, the rocket works well.

JAXA 之前曾遇到問題。在 2023 年和 2025 年有兩次火箭發射失敗。JAXA 隨後修復了問題並對火箭進行測試。現在，該火箭運行良好。

Conclusion

The H3 rocket is now ready for more work. The new cheap model is a success.

H3 火箭現在已準備好承接更多任務。這個新型廉價機型取得了成功。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The 'Magic' of Adding -S

Look at how the story describes things. We use -s at the end of words to show there is more than one. This is a key step for A2 English.

From the text:

  • One engine →\rightarrow Three engines
  • One satellite →\rightarrow Six satellites
  • One problem →\rightarrow Many problems

🛠️ Changing the Action (Past vs. Now)

Notice how the words change when we talk about things that already happened. We often add -ed to the end of the action word.

  • Now: JAXA fixes the rocket.

  • Before: JAXA fixed the rocket. (Done!)\text{(Done!)}

  • Now: JAXA tests the rocket.

  • Before: JAXA tested the rocket. (Done!)\text{(Done!)}

💡 Simple Word Swap

To reach A2, stop using the word "good" for everything. Use a specific word from the article instead:

Good→\text{Good} \rightarrow Success (When a plan works) Good→\text{Good} \rightarrow Cheap (When it does not cost much money)

Vocabulary Learning

agency (n.)
A business or organization that provides a specific service
Example:The travel agency helped us book a hotel.
satellite (n.)
A machine sent into space to collect information or send signals
Example:The satellite sends television signals to Earth.
compete (v.)
To try to be more successful than someone else
Example:Many companies compete to sell the best phone.
private (adj.)
Owned by a person or a company, not by the government
Example:He works for a private company.
failed (v.)
Did not work or did not succeed
Example:The old computer failed after ten years.
success (n.)
An event or result that is positive or achieves a goal
Example:The party was a great success.
Practice A2 words in a crossword→