Tokyo-based Space One's 18-metre Kairos rocket blasted off from the coastal Wakayama region of western Japan on March 13, carrying a small government test satellite but almost five seconds later, the solid-fuel rocket erupted in fire, sending white smoke billowing around the remote mountainous area as orange flames raged on the ground, live footage showed. (Image: Reuters)
"The launch of the first Kairos rocket was executed, but we took a measure to abort the flight," Space One said in a statement, adding "details are being investigated". (Image: Reuters)
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Burning debris fell onto the surrounding areas as sprinklers began spraying water in dramatic scenes watched by hundreds of spectators gathered at the public viewing areas, including a nearby waterfront.
Space One is hoping to become the Japan's first private firm to put a satellite into orbit, and the plan had been for Kairos -- an ancient Greek word meaning "the right moment" -- to do so around 51 minutes after take-off. (Image: Reuters)
Space One was established in 2018 by a team of major Japanese tech businesses, including Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace, construction firm Shimizu and the government-owned Development Bank of Japan. (Image: Reuters)
