Tokyo-based Space One's Kairos rocket failed minutes after liftoff during its second launch attempt.
A Japanese space startup, Space One, suffered another failure, as its rocket launch aborted just minutes after liftoff on Wednesday. The firm's Kairos No 2 rocket launched from the Spaceport Kii facility in Wakayama, Japan, carrying five tiny satellites, one of them belonging to the Taiwan Space Agency. The mission-the satellites were meant to end up in sun-synchronous orbit, some 500 kilometers up from Earth-had run for only about 10 minutes.
This was Space One's second attempt at successfully launching its Kairos small rocket. Nine months ago, its first attempt also ended in disaster, as the rocket exploded shortly after liftoff. Yet, this startup is unwavering in its pursuit of a mission to revolutionize Japan's growing space industry.
Space One has not yet determined the cause of the failure. Early footage from the launch showed the 18-meter solid-propellant rocket losing stability shortly after takeoff, which led to the termination of the flight. As a result, the rocket's mission was deemed unachievable. The company has announced plans to investigate the incident thoroughly and will hold a press conference later in the day.
The company, founded in 2018 with the support of Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace, Shimizu Corporation, and a state-backed bank, has high ambitions. It aims to launch 20 small rockets every year by 2029, which will position Japan as a competitive force in the satellite launch market. Space One hopes to be the first Japanese company to successfully place a satellite into orbit, which would be a great milestone for the country's space sector.
The Kairos No 2 rocket’s payload included satellites intended to serve a variety of commercial and scientific purposes, enhancing Japan’s technological capabilities in space exploration. Despite this failure, the company remains committed to its goal of advancing Japan’s satellite launch industry and contributing to global space exploration efforts.
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