FUJIKURA COMPOSITES provides relief valves. As the name implies, the purpose of a relief valve is to “prevent damage to equipment, human bodies, and the environment from the accumulation of pressure in gases and liquids.” Our relief valve provides high-precision relief pressure with a small difference in open/close pressure and are used in various industrial applications, such as equipment in factories or within devices. In this article, we will introduce you to the H3 launch vehicles, which have our relief valve installed.

The H3 launch vehicle is a liquid-fueled, disposable launch vehicle developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and serves as the next-generation core rocket to succeed the H-IIA/B launch vehicle. It is manufactured and launched by MHI. Our relief valve is installed as a key engine component in the LE-9, the first-stage main engine. The relief valve, which is used to relieve the cryogenic insulation gas in the LE-9 main valve, has a low leakage property due to its precise axial alignment, allowing it to be used in environments as low as -47°C. On February 17, 2024, the second H3 launch vehicle was successfully launched. Our relief valve has significantly contributed to this success.

FUJIKURA COMPOSITES will continue to contribute to the development of society by globally proposing and supplying functional components that are optimal for problem solving.

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