Tokyo — A commercial rocket attempting to launch a satellite into orbit was intentionally detonated shortly after liftoff on Wednesday morning in central Japan due to a problem that is currently under investigation.
Space One was aiming to achieve Japan’s first private sector success in placing a satellite into orbit.
Online footage depicted the Kairos rocket taking off in a mountainous area surrounded by trees, then exploding five seconds later. A large cloud of smoke enveloped the area, with flames erupting in certain spots. Streams of water were visible attempting to extinguish the fire.
Live coverage on public broadcaster NHK showed debris falling from the sky and later charred fragments scattered on the ground.
No injuries were reported, and the fire was quickly contained by the fire department in Kushimoto city, Wakayama prefecture.
The launch was terminated five seconds after liftoff, but the specific issue identified by the rocket’s automated system remains unclear and is still being investigated, according to Space One.
The incident occurred during the second stage of the launch, with the first stage being liftoff, and all parts of the rocket landed on Space One’s property, as confirmed by the company.
“We are viewing this event positively and are ready to tackle the next challenge,” stated Space One President Masakazu Toyoda to reporters.
The rocket was intended to deploy a government-made satellite into Earth’s orbit to collect various data, including monitoring potential risks from rocket launches by neighboring North Korea.
While one of its primary objectives was for Japan to catch up in rocket launches, which have lagged behind those of the U.S. and China, the launch had been postponed multiple times.
Toyoda and other officials emphasized that success in space exploration follows numerous setbacks. Toyoda even refrained from labeling the aborted launch as a failure and declined to disclose the expenses or timeframe for the investigation’s completion.
Established in 2018 in Tokyo, Space One received investments from major Japanese firms like Canon Electronics, IHI, Shimizu, and leading banks. The company aims to eventually provide space services and travel.
Japan’s primary space exploration endeavors have been spearheaded by the government through JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which has developed various rockets, sent a spacecraft to the moon, and retrieved asteroid samples for research.
Japanese companies aspire to play a larger role in the expanding global space industry, exemplified by ventures such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
