Japanese Launch Vehicle Explodes During Attempt to Launch Satellite into Orbit

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 an ongoing issue being investigated.

Space One sought to achieve Japan’s first successful private sector satellite deployment.

Footage online captured the Kairos rocket taking off in a mountainous area surrounded by trees before exploding just five seconds later. A massive cloud of smoke engulfed the vicinity, with flames emerging in certain areas. Water bursts were visible trying to extinguish the fire.

Live broadcasts on public broadcaster NHK showed debris raining down from the sky with charred remnants scattered on the ground later on.

There were no reported injuries, and the fire was eventually contained by the fire department of Kushimoto city in Wakayama prefecture.

The launch was terminated five seconds after liftoff due to an unidentified issue detected by the rocket’s automated system, which is still under investigation, according to Space One.

The incident occurred during the second phase of the launch, following liftoff, with all rocket components landing on Space One’s premises, the company confirmed.

“We are viewing the incident positively and stand ready to tackle the next challenge,” stated President Masakazu Toyoda during a press conference.

The rocket was meant to deploy a government-made satellite into Earth’s orbit for various purposes, including monitoring potential threats from rocket launches in neighboring North Korea.

Despite multiple delays, the primary goal was for Japan to catch up with the US and China in terms of rocket launches. Mr. Toyoda and other officials emphasized that success in space exploration often comes after several setbacks. He refrained from labeling the aborted launch a failure and declined to disclose costs or provide a completion timeline for the investigation.

Established in 2018 in Tokyo, Space One received investments from major Japanese corporations including Canon Electronics, IHI, Shimizu, and major banks, with aspirations to offer space services and travel in the future.

Japan’s primary space exploration initiatives have been government-led through JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which has developed various rockets, sent missions to the moon, and retrieved asteroid samples for research.

Japan’s companies are working towards expanding their presence in the global space industry, exemplified by ventures like Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

By Yuri Kageyama