Torayca Carbon Fiber and Prepregs Supplied by Toray for H3 Launch Vehicle
Toray Industries has announced its provision of Torayca carbon fiber and prepreg materials for JAXA's H3 launch vehicle, succeeding the H-IIA rocket. Carbon fiber, as used in the H-IIA, is incorporated into the H3 engine casings, which are the parts of the rocket body that contain solid fuel and act as combustion chambers. Additionally, Torayca prepreg, featuring high-strength carbon fibers, has been newly implemented for the payload fairing-the front edge of the launch vehicle that carries satellites and other payloads-with a high-toughness resin.
The H3 is JAXA's latest flagship launch vehicle, engineered for enhanced flexibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Standing at 63 meters tall with a diameter of 5.2 meters, the rocket is capable, according to JAXA's specifications, of delivering "4 tons or more" to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 310 miles (500 kilometers) and "6.5 tons or more" to a geostationary transfer orbit.
The Torayca prepreg employed for the fairing is a unidirectional tape prepreg tailored for the Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process. Beyond conventional autoclave curing, this material facilitates efficient shaping and processing of complex geometries and large structures, including those cured in ovens.
Toray has observed that the utilization of satellites across various sectors-ranging from broadcasting and communications to positioning, Earth observation, and disaster prevention-has been growing, leading to a rising annual demand for launch vehicles. As the industry seeks lower launch costs and enhanced performance, the application of composite materials is anticipated to expand further. Toray remains committed to supporting these evolving needs through its Torayca product line.
