A rocket manufactured by a Japanese company faced a catastrophic failure moments after liftoff in its mission to deploy a satellite into orbit.
The 18-meter Kairos rocket, developed by Tokyo-based Space One, took off from the company’s launch pad in the Wakayama region of western Japan, carrying a small government test satellite on Wednesday. However, shortly after liftoff, the solid-fuelled rocket erupted in flames, leading to its destruction and sending plumes of smoke into the remote mountainous area. Space One confirmed that the launch was aborted, and investigations into the cause of the failure are underway.
Debris from the explosion fell onto the surrounding slopes, prompting sprinklers to activate and mitigate any potential hazards. Hundreds of spectators, including many gathered at nearby waterfront viewing areas, expressed disappointment and concern over the incident.
While setbacks during the initial stages of rocket launches are common, the failure represents a setback for Japan’s ambitions to enter the commercial satellite launch market, which holds significant economic potential. The Kairos rocket was intended to deploy the satellite into orbit approximately 51 minutes after liftoff, but delays due to parts shortages and technical issues had postponed its launch five times.
The mayor of Kushimoto, where the launch occurred, expressed surprise and disappointment at the outcome but affirmed the town’s continued support for Space One’s endeavours. Space One, established in 2018 with the backing of major Japanese technology firms and government institutions, aims to contribute to Japan’s space exploration efforts.
This incident follows a similar failure last July when another Japanese rocket, the solid-fuel Epsilon S, exploded during testing shortly after ignition. However, Japan celebrated the successful launch of its new flagship rocket, the H3, last month after overcoming years of delays and previous setbacks. Additionally, Japan achieved a significant milestone with the successful landing, albeit on its side, of an unmanned probe on the moon, becoming the fifth country to achieve a “soft landing” on the lunar surface.
