H3 rocket

Japan launched an H2A rocket carrying a lunar lander that will attempt to make the nation's first lunar landing.

The Japanese space agency said a rocket engine exploded during a test in northeastern Japan on Friday.

Japan’s space agency intentionally destroyed a new H3 rocket minutes after its launch Tuesday because the ignition failed for the second stage of the country’s first new rocket series in more than two decades.

Japan’s space agency intentionally destroyed a new H3 rocket moments into its launch.