Back to Vehicle Families

L-4S Launch Vehicle

L-4S was Japan's first orbital launch vehicle, a four-stage all-solid Lambda configuration derived by adding a kick stage to the L-3H sounding rocket. It served as a precursor and flight-demonstration program for Mu-series orbital-injection methods; the fifth attempt placed Ohsumi, Japan's first satellite, into orbit.

L-4S Launch Vehicle
Follow this vehicle family

Future launches and major activity directly linked to this vehicle family.

Identity

Aliases
Lambda 4SLambda-4SL-4Sロケット
Family Name
L-4S
Full Name
L-4S Launch Vehicle
Status
retired
Type
rocket

Details

Description
L-4S was Japan's first orbital launch vehicle, a four-stage all-solid Lambda configuration derived by adding a kick stage to the L-3H sounding rocket. It served as a precursor and flight-demonstration program for Mu-series orbital-injection methods; the fifth attempt placed Ohsumi, Japan's first satellite, into orbit.
Dimensions
Diameter
…
Height
…
First Flight Year
1,966
Last Flight Year
1,970
Rocket Specs
Liftoff Mass
…
Payload Capacity
LEO
…
Reusability
expendable
Stages Count
4

Links

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 13, 2026 at 12:07:06 UTC
Updated Time
July 19, 2026 at 16:37:51 UTC