Family-level launch record combining canonical variants, historical missions, public cadence forecasts, and available payload performance specs.
Historical missions are grouped by actual launch year. Forecast cadence uses family-level launch-rate rows.
| Year | Historical missions | Forecast launches |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 0 | 2 |
| 2027 | 0 | 2 |
| 2028 | 0 | 2 |
| 2029 | 0 | 2 |
| 2030 | 0 | 2 |
| 2031 | 0 | 2 |
| 2032 | 0 | 2 |
| 2033 | 0 | 2 |
| 2034 | 0 | 2 |
| 2035 | 0 | 2 |
| 2036 | 0 | 2 |
Payload capacity by variant and target orbit when structured capacity rows are available.
| Variant | Orbit | Capacity | Altitude | Inclination | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Epsilon S | LEO | 590 kg | Unknown | Unknown | Manual Epsilon S low-confidence small-launcher fallback. |
Latest launched missions using variants in this family.
| Mission | Variant | Launch |
|---|---|---|
| Launch 2022-F04 | Epsilon | Oct 12, 2022 |
| RAISE-2 | Epsilon 2PBS | Nov 9, 2021 |
| RAPIS | Epsilon 2PBS | Jan 18, 2019 |
| ASNARO 2 |
Canonical variants rolled up into this launch vehicle family.
| Variant | Stages | Missions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Epsilon | Not stated | 2 | Retired |
Epsilon 2 | Not stated | 1 | Retired |
Epsilon 2PBS | Not stated | 3 | Retired |
Epsilon S | Not stated | 0 | Development |
| 2037 | 0 | 2 |
| 2038 | 0 | 2 |
| 2039 | 0 | 2 |
| 2040 | 0 | 2 |
| 2041 | 0 | 2 |
1 launch location represented.
| Year | Location | Launches | Confidence | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2027 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2028 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2029 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2030 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2031 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2032 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2033 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2034 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2035 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2036 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2037 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2038 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2039 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2040 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. |
| 2041 | Uchinoura Space Center | M-V Launch Complex | 2 | 20% | Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback. Site-year coverage backfill copied nearest prior site-rate row. |
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
Epsilon 2PBS |
| Jan 17, 2018 |
| ERG | Epsilon 2 | Dec 20, 2016 |
| SPRINT-A | Epsilon | Sep 14, 2013 |
Upcoming mission rows with announced launch timing.
| Mission | Variant | Announced |
|---|---|---|
No forecasted missionsNo upcoming announced mission rows are linked to this vehicle family. | ||
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
Editable low-confidence Epsilon family annual throughput fallback.
JAXA will test a re-adapted motor around mid-2026 for the first Epsilon-S Block 1 launch.
Epsilon-S Block 1 and later plans will be examined and advanced stepwise based on the results of the E-21 causal investigation.
Epsilon-S Block 1 can support external satellite B launches to SSO with an approximate satellite mass of 250 kg.
The epsilon mission framework highlights the European contribution to International Space Station operations and showcases the scientific and exploratory goals Sophie Adenot and her crewmates will help advance during their time in orbit.
The epsilon mission by ESA entered its preliminary phase on January 5, 2026.
RAISE-4 was originally scheduled to launch with eight cubesats on a single Epsilon-S launch.
Six out of eight tech demo payloads on RAISE-4 are re-flights from a previous failed Epsilon launch.
The RAISE-4 mission occurred almost to the same day three years after the previous failed Epsilon launch.
OICETS was originally intended to be launched on the J-I rocket, the predecessor of Epsilon, but the full orbital version was cancelled.
Four out of eight cubesats launching with RAISE-4 are re-flights from a previous failed Epsilon launch.
The modification for the Epsilon-S second stage motor focuses only on replacing obsolete parts.
Trade-offs regarding the second stage motor for the Epsilon-S are currently under consideration.
The Epsilon-S may receive a less drastically changed second stage motor called the M-35a due to two test firing mishaps.
Epsilon S is included in JAXA's space basic plan, which outlines launches for various satellites, including the postponed LOTUSat-1 and the rescheduled DESTINY+.
The option to revert to a conventional second stage motor for the enhanced Epsilon rocket is under consideration but has not been decided.
The schedule for Epsilon S's development indicates that flight testing using the demonstration machine is unlikely within the 2025 fiscal year.
Future development tests for the Epsilon S will continue at the Tanegashima Space Center, expected to be restored by 2025.
The Epsilon S rocket is a small solid rocket inheriting the Epsilon and Enhanced Epsilon rockets that operated six units until 2022.
JAXA's development schedule for Epsilon S may include reverting to the conventional M-35 motor for upcoming launches.
The first launch of the Epsilon S will not take place by the end of March 2025 as previously planned.