A Japanese space startup, Space One, faced disappointment as its second attempt to launch a rocket carrying satellites into orbit was aborted minutes after liftoff and self-destructed. This incident occurred nine months after the company's initial launch attempt ended in an explosion.
The Kairos No. 2 rocket took off from a coastal site in Wakayama, Japan, but the company decided to abort the flight due to concerns about its ability to complete the mission. Despite the setback, Space One's President expressed that valuable data was being gathered to aid in future endeavors.
The company's executive mentioned that an abnormality in the first stage engine nozzle or its control system likely led to the rocket's unstable flight, causing it to spiral midair and eventually trigger its autonomous safety mechanism, resulting in its destruction.
Although the rocket briefly entered space before its demise, Space One remains determined to address the issues promptly and achieve success in future launches.
Space One's goal is to become Japan's first company to place a satellite into orbit, aiming to revitalize the country's space industry with an affordable space transport business. The failed launch was carrying five small satellites, including one from the Taiwanese space agency and several from Japanese startups.
Following a failed debut flight in March, where the rocket was intentionally exploded, Space One had rectified the issues that led to that failure. The company's investors include major Japanese corporations and banks, with the vision of offering cost-effective space delivery services and increasing the frequency of flights compared to the government-led space program.
Japan's space development efforts, led by entities like JAXA and industry leaders, are focused on developing rockets like the H3 and Epsilon to cater to the growing satellite transport business. The hope is that Space One can pave the way for a competitive domestic space industry that rivals the United States.
