In a disappointing setback for Japan’s space ambitions, the much-anticipated inaugural launch of the Kairos rocket developed by Space One ended in a fiery explosion just seconds after liftoff. The incident occurred as the rocket attempted to become the first Japanese-made vehicle to place a satellite into orbit.
The 18-meter solid-fuel rocket exploded only five seconds into its flight, leaving behind a cloud of smoke, debris, and firefighting efforts near the launch pad located on the mountainous Kii peninsula in western Japan. According to Masakazu Toyoda, president of Space One, the rocket self-destructed after detecting difficulties in achieving its mission objectives.
Although the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, Space One emphasized its commitment to investigating the incident. The company stated that the rocket is equipped with automated systems designed to terminate the flight if errors are detected, prioritizing safety for ground personnel and nearby areas.
Despite the failure, there were no reported injuries, and the resulting fire has been extinguished, according to Shuhei Kishimoto, governor of Wakayama prefecture. The Kairos rocket was carrying an experimental government satellite intended to serve as a temporary replacement for intelligence satellites in the event of malfunctions.
Space One, established in 2018 by a consortium of Japanese companies, aims to play a significant role in the growing demand for satellite launches, both domestically and internationally. The company plans to offer “space courier services” and has ambitious goals of launching 20 rockets annually by the late 2020s.
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