TOKYO: Japan`s space agency toasted a successful blast-off for its new flagship rocket on Saturday, making it third time lucky after years of delays and two previous failed attempts.

The next-generation H3 has been mooted as a rival to SpaceX`s Falcon 9, and could one day deliver cargo to bases on the Moon. `I`ve been in the space industry for a long time, but I`ve never felt so happy before, and I`ve never felt so relieved,` said Hiroshi Yamakawa, president of space agency JAXA.

The latest launch follows Japan`s successful landing last month of an unmanned probe on the Moon albeit at a wonky angle making it just the fifth country to land a craft on the lunar surface.

The H3 launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan at 9:22 am. Cheers and applause could be heard from the JAXA control centre after the agency`s live stream announced the H3`s engines had successfully burned, meaning the rocket had made it into orbit.

Developed jointly by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the H3 is the successor to the H-IIA launch system, which debuted in 2001. Designed for `high flexibility, high reliability, and high cost performance`, the craft will `maintain Japan`s autonomous access to space`, JAXA says.

Unlike the reusable Falcon 9, the H3 is expendable, but scientists say the trial of its world-first technology is significant. `The H3 rocket has a unique and novel firststage engine that delivers greater thrust compared to state-of-the-art rockets,` said Michele Trenti, director of the Melbourne Space Laboratory at the University of Melbourne. The H3 `has the potential to be the most cost-effective rocket`, making the exploration of the solar system more affordable. Its maiden launch has been beset by mishaps.-AFP