H-II Launch Vehicle No.8 LE-7 engine recovery plan

The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) will carry out
the following work to recover the LE-7 engine of the H-II Launch Vehicle No.8 that crashed into the Pacific Ocean during the failed
launch from Tanegashima Space Center on Nov. 15, 1999.

1. Outline of plan

(1) An ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) (‘Remora 6000’; mass approx.
630kg; maximum operating depth 6000m) will be remotely operated
from a support ship (‘Shinnichi Maru’ (weight: 698t;: 12.5kt).

(2) The ROV will be used to attach a salvage rope to the engine, and
the engine will then be lifted using a winch.

(3) After reaching Yokosuka port, the recovered engine will
immediately be transported to a place of storage (National
Aerospace Laboratory, Chofu-shi, Tokyo)

2. Main items to be recovered

LE-7 engine
OTP ((Liquid) Oxygen Turbo Pump)
Nozzle skirt etc.

3.Company undertaking work

Shin Nippon Kaiji Co., Ltd.
Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Past record: Has a proven record of searching for and recovering
things like aircraft that have been involved in
accidents.

Since Japanese ROVs can only operate at depths of up to 2000m, an
ROV owned by the US salvage company ‘Kutzleb Marine Service’ will
be used.

4.Schedule (provisional)

Jan. 15 (pm): Shinnichi Maru sets sail from Yokosuka-Heisei Port

Jan. 17 (am): Shinnichi Maru arrives at work site; recovery work
commenced (scheduled to last 3 days, although may
be extended according to weather conditions)

Jan. 21 (pm) (or later): Shinnichi Maru returns to Yokosuka-Heisei
Port; recovered items transported by land
to place of storage

JAMSTEC
http://www.jamstec.go.jp/jamstec-e/index-e.html

END