The second launch attempt by a Japanese startup concludes in disaster as the Kairos rocket self-destructs mid-flight.
A Japanese company's second attempt to launch its solid-fuel rocket, named Kairos, resulted in disorder, as it plunged downward a few minutes following lift-off. This mishap signifies another impediment for Japan's private space sector, after a string of rocket explosions earlier this year.
On Wednesday, Space One, the Japanese company, launched its Kairos rocket from its Spaceport Kii launch pad in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture. Initially, the rocket seemed to be functioning correctly, but issues began to surface. Approximately two minutes post-takeoff, Kairos appeared to lose orientation management, and it started to spin out of control. The rocket self-destructed after detecting irregularities in the first-stage engine nozzle control and the rocket's trajectory, as per statements made by Space One director Mamoru Endo during a press conference, according to Reuters.
Kairos was carrying five small satellites from the Taiwan Space Agency, along with Japanese companies Lagrapo, Space Cubics, and Terra Space, as well as a secretive fifth client.
Space One was attempting to make history as Japan's first commercial firm to independently place satellites into Earth orbit (Japan's space agency, JAXA, has performed this task numerous times, working with firms such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries). Space One's first attempt to launch Kairos was in March, but the launch vehicle blew up seconds after clearing the tower in Wakayama prefecture. The rocket's autonomous self-destruct system was activated due to abnormal flight settings just five seconds after takeoff. Kairos was transporting an experimental satellite for the Japanese government.
The three-stage Kairos rocket, powered by solid-fuel engines and a liquid-fuel post-boost stage, is engineered to deliver payloads of up to 550 pounds (250 kilograms) to low Earth orbit. With its 59-foot (18-meter) tall rocket, Space One aims to compete with firms like SpaceX and Rocket Lab by delivering satellites to space quickly and cheaply. The company hopes to launch 30 rockets annually by the 2030s, as per Kyodo News. Space One may need to delay reaching that pace, which seems feasible with Kairos, a rocket similar to Rocket Lab’s Electron.
"We do not view this incident as a failure," Space One president Masakazu Toyoda said after the launch failure, according to AFP. "We believe that the data and experience gained... are extremely valuable and we think they will be useful for our next challenge."
JAXA is also attempting to carve a niche in the new space era. Despite its own setbacks, JAXA launched its new H3 rocket successfully on its second attempt in February. However, Japan’s Epsilon S rocket exploded during a test in late November.
The future of Space One's commercial satellite launching ambitions now relies heavily on the success of their space technology and science, as demonstrated by the performance of the Kairos rocket. In light of the recent mishaps, it's crucial for Space One to reinforce their technology and engineering to ensure the stability and functionality of future launches.
Despite the recent setbacks, Japanese space agencies like JAXA are also pushing the boundaries of space exploration with their own advanced technology. For instance, JAXA successfully launched its H3 rocket on its second attempt in February, signifying their dedication to the advancement of space science and technology in Japan.
