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Japan's First Private Rocket Launch Ends in Explosion

Space One's inaugural Kairos rocket flight fails seconds after takeoff, with no injuries reported.

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Visitors look on Wednesday as smoke rises from behind a hill after a small rocket by Tokyo-based startup Space One exploded upon take-off, at the Spaceport Kili site in Kushimoto, Wakayama prefecture. The rocket made by a Japanese startup exploded just after launch when the company aborted its attempt to become the nation's first private firm to put a satellite into orbit.
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Overview

  • Japan's Space One Kairos rocket exploded seconds after takeoff on its inaugural flight, marking a setback for the country's private space sector.
  • The 18-meter solid-fuel rocket was carrying a small government test satellite and exploded due to an undetermined issue, triggering its self-destruct system.
  • Space One, a Tokyo-based startup, aimed to be Japan's first private firm to successfully place a satellite into orbit.
  • The explosion caused no injuries or significant damage to the launch site, and the fire was quickly brought under control.
  • Space One plans to investigate the cause of the failure and remains optimistic about future launches.