Japan’s space ambitions suffered a major blow on Wednesday when Tokyo-based startup Space One’s solid-fuel Kairos rocket exploded just seconds after liftoff, The Japan Times reported.
The 18m, 23-ton Kairos rocket, carrying a dummy government spy satellite, took off from Kushimoto, in Wakayama Prefecture, but burst in flames just five seconds later, scattering debris over a mountainous area.
Space One bosses said they were investigating the cause of the explosion and remained committed to their target of 20 lift-offs a year by the end of 2029 and 30 lift-offs in the 2030s, the story went on.
Read the full story: The Japan Times
- By Sean O’Meara
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