Space One's Rocket Self-Destructs Seconds After Launch in Japan
5:02 AM EDT, March 13, 2024
Five seconds after its takeoff from a launch pad located on the rugged terrain of the Kii Peninsula in western Japan, the 59-foot solid-fuel Kairos rocket met its untimely end. "The rocket concluded its journey upon realizing the unlikelihood of completing its mission successfully," explained Masakazu Toyoda, CEO of Space One.
The firm clarified that the rocket operates automatically and requires minimal ground staff. It's designed to self-destruct in the event of detecting any flight path, velocity, or control system errors that might endanger people below.
The outlook on setbacks
The specific cause of the Kairos rocket's self-destruction is still under investigation, and the company has not disclosed a timeline for its next attempted launch.
"We refrain from labeling this event a 'failure.' Every attempt offers valuable data and insights for future endeavors," Toyoda remarked during a news conference.
Shuhei Kishimoto, the governor of Wakayama Prefecture, reassured the media that no injuries were reported and that a fire sparked by falling debris from the rocket had been successfully put out.
The Kairos was designed to deliver an experimental government satellite into orbit. In case of failure, such satellites could serve as temporary substitutes for reconnaissance satellites.
Source: reuters.com
