A rocket built by a Japanese company exploded seconds after it was launched to put a satellite into orbit.
Tokyo-based Space One's 18-metre Kairos rocket lifted off from the company's launch pad in the Wakayama region of western Japan on Wednesday, carrying the government's small test satellite.
Seconds later, the solid-fuel rocket exploded into flames, sending a plume of smoke over a distant mountain range, live footage showed. Space One said in a statement, “The launch of the first Kairos rocket took place, but we have taken steps to cancel the flight,'' adding that “the details are under investigation.''
As sprinklers began spraying water, burning debris fell onto the surrounding slopes. Hundreds of spectators gathered in public viewing areas, including the nearby waterfront. “It's a shame because my expectations were high. I want to know what happened,” one elderly man told public broadcaster NHK.
Failure in early attempts to launch a new rocket system is common and even expected, as SpaceX exemplifies. SpaceOne's failure remains a blow to Japan's efforts to enter the lucrative commercial satellite launch market.
The plan was for Kairos (an ancient Greek word meaning “right moment”) to send the satellite into orbit about 51 minutes after liftoff. Space One has reportedly postponed Kairos's launch five times, most recently on Saturday, due to parts shortages and other issues.
The mayor of Kushimoto, a town with a population of 15,000 in Wakayama Prefecture, where the launch was held, expressed surprise and disappointment. Coach Katsumasa Tajima said, “I never imagined a result like this.'' However, the town stated, “We will continue to support Space One.We would like to continue to support Space One so that the launch of the first rocket is a success.''
Space One was founded in 2018 by a team of major Japanese technology companies, including Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace, construction company Shimizu, and the government-backed Development Bank of Japan.
Last July, another Japanese rocket, the solid-fuel Epsilon S, exploded about 50 seconds after ignition during a test.
But last month, Japan's space agency celebrated the successful launch of its new flagship rocket, H3, after years of delays and two previous failures.
Following this, Japan successfully landed an unmanned spacecraft on the lunar surface, becoming the fifth country to achieve a “soft landing” on the lunar surface.
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