Japan's 1st Commercial Rocket Explodes After launch

Space News ,Japan :-  A Japanese company's attempt to launch a rocket into orbit ended in failure just seconds after takeoff. The Kairos solid rocket, launched from Space Port Kii in western Japan, exploded shortly after liftoff. Despite debris scattered around the launch site, there were no reported injuries or damages.

The company, Space One, aimed to be the first Japanese private launch company to reach orbit. The 18-meter-long Kairos rocket had a mission to carry payloads to low Earth orbit, weighing up to 550 pounds (250 kilograms). The rocket's highly automated design included three solid propellant stages and a liquid propellant upper stage.

Space One's president, Masakazu Toyoda, mentioned that the rocket terminated the flight after realizing the mission's difficulty. The exact cause of the failure remains unknown, and an investigation will determine the next steps for the company's future launches.

Established in 2018, Space One, based in Tokyo, plans to launch more than 20 times per year by the end of the decade. However, the recent setback puts a pause on their ambitions. Toyoda acknowledged the need to compete with other companies, citing Rocket Lab as an example of overcoming initial failures.

Rocket Lab, just hours before the Kairos failure, successfully launched a radar imaging satellite. This event marked a contrast, showcasing Rocket Lab's ability to bounce back after early challenges.

The Kairos failure also poses a setback for Japan's broader space industry development. The country's space policy committee is actively working on a $6.7 billion, 10-year space strategic fund to enhance autonomy, innovation, and competitiveness. The plans involve boosting Japan's launch rate through new rockets like the H3 and collaborations with private companies.

While the Kairos failure is a setback, other Japanese companies, such as Interstellar Technologies, are gearing up for future launches. Interstellar Technologies aims for its first orbital launch with the Zero rocket in 2025, contributing to Japan's space industry aspirations.