A rocket crafted by Tokyo-based Space One met a catastrophic end just seconds after liftoff on Wednesday, shattering hopes of deploying a satellite into orbit. The 18-meter (60-foot) Kairos rocket, carrying a small government test satellite, ignited in flames mere seconds after launch in the Wakayama region of western Japan. Live footage captured the harrowing scene as the rocket burst into fire, enveloping the area in smoke and flames.
Space One swiftly announced the decision to abort the flight, with investigations into the incident underway. Company President Masakazu Toyoda, while refraining from labeling it a “failure,” expressed determination to embrace the setback and pursue future endeavors. The company aims to contribute to the expansion of space-related services through successful satellite launches.
Despite the setback, spectators witnessed a dramatic scene as burning debris rained down on surrounding slopes, triggering sprinklers to douse the area. Space One, aspiring to be Japan’s first private entity to deploy a satellite into orbit, faced setbacks in the launch, which had been postponed multiple times due to various issues.
The failure weighed heavily on the involved companies, prompting a sell-off of their shares, with Canon Electronics suffering a 7.45 percent decline. This incident adds to a series of challenges faced by Japan’s space endeavors, including recent failures by the country’s space agency JAXA. Despite setbacks, the nation has seen successes, including the recent landing of an unmanned probe on the Moon, signaling a continued pursuit of space exploration.