Japan’s Space One launched the small, solid-fuel rocket Kairos on Wednesday, hoping to become the country’s first Japanese company to launch a satellite into orbit. However, the rocket burst shortly after takeoff.
Moments after taking off at 11:01 a.m. (0201 GMT), the 18-meter (59-foot) rocket burst, visible on local media feeds. Simultaneously, it left behind a massive cloud of smoke, a fire, rocket fragments, and firefighting water sprays near the launch site.
Following the launch on the western Japanese hilly Kii Peninsula, Space One declared that it “terminated the flight.” Additionally, the company announced it was analyzing flight data.
Following a briefing by Space One, Shuhei Kishimoto, the governor of the local government in Wakayama, informed reporters that an issue had caused the autonomous flight-termination mechanism to malfunction. Consequently, he shared this information during the press conference. He didn’t say exactly what the issue was. Kishimoto also said that the fire had been put out and that there were no injuries close to the launch pad.
According to Space One, the launch requires about a dozen employees at the ground control center. Additionally, it is largely automated, including the flight-termination function.
If intelligence satellites in orbit go out, Kairos carries an experimental government satellite that can take their place. Additionally, it serves as a backup in such situations.
Originally scheduled for Saturday, the launch had to be rescheduled by Space One because a ship approached the surrounding restricted maritime region.
Despite being a relatively tiny participant in the space race, Japan’s rocket engineers are working feverishly in the active pursuit of producing more affordable vehicles. This effort aims to meet the rising demand for satellite launches from both the country’s government and other international clients.
In 2018, a group of Japanese businesses, including Canon Electronics, IHI’s aerospace engineering division, construction company Shimizu, and the government-backed Development Bank of Japan, came together to form Tokyo-based Space One. They collaborated to advance their collective efforts in the space industry. Minority owners include Mitsubishi UFJ and Mizuho, two of the largest banks in Japan.
On the following Wednesday, IHI experienced an unsuccessful launch, causing its shares to drop as much as 2%. Simultaneously, shares of Canon Electronics tumbled as much as 13%.
Space One’s president, Masakazu Toyoda, revealed that the company plans to launch 20 rockets annually by the late 2020s. Additionally, it intends to provide “space courier services” to both domestic and foreign customers. Despite the fact that Kairos’ initial launch window had been delayed four times, the company reported that orders for its second and third scheduled excursions, including one from an international consumer, had been filled.
Kairos aims to reach low-Earth orbit with payloads up to 250 kg, utilizing three stages of solid fuel engines and a liquid fuel post-boost stage engine. Additionally, the spacecraft is designed to achieve its objectives through this combination of propulsion systems.
Although business chief Kozo Abe stated that Kairos is “competitive enough” against US rival Rocket Lab, Space One does not reveal the cost of Kairos’ launch.
Since 2017, Rocket Lab has launched over 40 Electron mini rockets from New Zealand, with an estimated flight cost of $7 million per. Numerous Japanese businesses, such as iQPS and Synspective, as well as orbital debris-removal startup Astroscale, have employed Electron for their missions.
The state-funded Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the H3, its new, economical flagship rocket, successfully last month. This year, JAXA successfully carried out a historic “pinpoint” lunar landing. By 2030, the H3 is expected to send roughly 20 satellites and probes into space.
But prior to that, JAXA had experienced a number of failures. The first flight of H3 last year and the second flight of Epsilon, a smaller rocket, in 2022 both ended in failure. At JAXA’s testing facility, an enhanced Epsilon engine burst in July 2023.
In 2019, Interstellar Technologies launched Japan’s first privately developed rocket with its MOMO series, marking a historic achievement. However, the mission lacked a full-scale satellite payload.
In an effort to fend off China and Russia’s military and technological competition, Japan is actively working with the US to revive its aerospace sector. This collaboration aims to strengthen Japan’s position in the face of growing challenges in the global arena.
Last year, in an effort to increase intelligence capabilities, the government built satellite constellations. These constellations promised “comprehensive” support for space businesses, providing technology vital to national security.
Last year, in an effort to increase intelligence capabilities, the government built satellite constellations. These constellations promised “comprehensive” support for space businesses, providing technology vital to national security.
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