Japan’s Space One Faces Setback as Inaugural Kairos Rocket Explodes After Launch Attempt
Tokyo, The Gulf Observer: Japan’s Space One encountered a setback as its small solid-fuelled Kairos rocket exploded shortly after its inaugural launch attempt. The 18-meter (59 ft) four-stage solid-fuel rocket exploded seconds after lifting off, leaving a large cloud of smoke, fire, and rocket fragments near the launch pad on the Kii peninsula in western Japan. Space One aimed to become the first Japanese company to successfully put a satellite into orbit.
The rocket, carrying an experimental government satellite capable of temporarily replacing intelligence satellites if they go offline, suffered an interruption during the launch. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, and Space One is currently investigating the incident. There is no immediate indication of injuries, as launch pads typically have no personnel nearby during liftoff.
Originally scheduled for Saturday, the launch was postponed due to a ship entering the restricted sea area nearby. Despite being a relatively small player in the space industry, Japan is witnessing increased efforts by its rocket developers to create cost-effective vehicles to meet the rising demand for satellite launches, both domestically and internationally.
Established in 2018, Space One, based in Tokyo, is a consortium of Japanese companies, including Canon Electronics, IHI’s aerospace engineering unit, Shimizu construction firm, and the Development Bank of Japan. Mitsubishi UFJ and Mizuho, two of Japan’s major banks, also hold minority stakes in the company. Following the failed launch, shares in Canon Electronics experienced a more than 9% decline.
Space One envisions offering “space courier services” to domestic and international clients, with plans to launch 20 rockets annually by the late 2020s. Despite the delay in Kairos’ inaugural launch, the company has reported that orders for its second and third planned trips have been filled, including orders from overseas customers.
