Japanese startup Space One lost another rocket today (December 18) when its Kairos 2 launch vehicle malfunctioned shortly after liftoff.
Space One aims to be the first private Japanese company to use Kairos 2 to put satellites into orbit Rocketbut this is not the case. The 59-foot-tall (18-meter) rocket began tumbling after taking off from Kii Space Port in Kushimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture, around 11 a.m. local time today.
Space One terminated its flight at an altitude of 62 miles (100 kilometers) about three minutes into the flight after detecting anomalies in the rocket’s first-stage engine and ballistics. The rocket carries five satellite Developed by Japanese business companies, high school students and a Taiwanese company.
Space One issued a statement after the failure. “We apologize to our customers and everyone involved in the launch for not being able to complete the mission, and we deeply regret not being able to meet the expectations of everyone who supported us,” a company press release reads.
“Space One will determine the cause of the incident as soon as possible and try to launch again. By using small rockets to provide launch services, we will contribute to the further expansion of the aerospace business.”
The Kairos rocket has already carried out two launches, both of which failed. March 2024, Space One The first Kairos rocket was lost very quickly It left the launch pad when its flight termination system detected a speed anomaly. No personnel or facilities were injured in the explosion, but debris was scattered throughout the launch site.
Space One’s Kairos rocket has three solid fuel stages and a liquid propellant upper stage. It is designed to carry payloads up to 550 lbs (250 kg) low earth orbitfilling the gap in Japan’s current competitiveness in the aerospace launch market.
Kairos’ failure isn’t the only recent problem in Japan’s launch sector. In November 2024, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) New Epsilon S Rocket. similar explosion Taking place in July 2023.