A setback occurred for Tokyo-based startup Space One as their 18-meter (60 feet) solid-fuel rocket, Kairos, exploded moments after liftoff. The launch, aimed at establishing Space One as the first private Japanese firm to deploy a satellite into orbit, faced a tragic end as the rocket disintegrated into pieces shortly after its ascent from the mountainous Kii peninsula in western Japan.
The livestream of the launch depicted scenes of flames and billowing smoke, with burning debris falling onto the surrounding mountain slopes. Space One reported that the flight was “interrupted” and launched an investigation into the incident, which caused speculation about the cause of the explosion and whether there were any injuries.
Kairos was carrying an experimental government satellite intended to serve as a backup for intelligence satellites in case of malfunction. The failure underscores the challenges faced by Japanese rocket developers in the highly competitive space industry, despite Japan’s ambitions to capture demand for satellite launches.
Established in 2018, Space One aims to provide “space courier services” to domestic and international clients, with plans to launch 20 rockets annually by the late 2020s. However, this setback adds to previous failures in Japan’s space program, including the explosion of the Epsilon S rocket engine during a test last July.
In contrast, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) celebrated the successful launch of its new flagship rocket, the H3, signaling progress in Japan’s space endeavors. Despite setbacks, Japan continues its pursuit of space exploration, with aspirations to rival SpaceX and contribute to lunar exploration efforts.
