Japan’s Space One Terminates Kairos Rocket Mid-flight; Investigation into Launch Failure to Be Conducted (UPDATE 1)

The Yomiuri Shimbun

11:44 JST, December 18, 2024 (updated at 17:25 JST)

The No. 2 Kairos rocket’s Wednesday launch ended in failure mid-flight. Space One Co. said it made the decision to terminate the mission shortly after the rocket left its launchpad at Space Port Kii in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, at 11 a.m.

This is the second rocket failure for the company after the No. 1 Kairos rocket exploded shortly after liftoff on March 13.

The Tokyo-based startup said first engine of the 18-meter rocket was scheduled to detach about two minutes after the launch, followed by the section at the top of the rocket covering the satellite.

However, the company determined it was unfeasible to continue the flight, and announced its termination at about 11:10 a.m. The company is confirming the details of the situation.

The No. 2 Kairos rocket was carrying five small satellites from the Taiwan Space Agency and others.

“I apologize for not completing the mission to the end,” Masakazu Toyoda, president of Space One, said at a press conference on the day. He also expressed his intention for a third launch: “We want to investigate the cause [of the launch failure] as soon as possible and move on to the next challenge. Space One will keep moving forward without stalling.”

Like the No. 1 Kairos rocket, the No. 2 generates thrust by burning solid fuel. It is also equipped with a system that automatically destroys the rocket if an anomaly is detected.

The rocket was planned to release satellites at an altitude of about 500 kilometers about 53 minutes after launch. Successful orbital insertion would have been a first for a privately developed rocket in Japan.

Space One was established in 2018 to commercialize space transport services and frequently send small satellites into space. IHI Aerospace Co., Canon Electronics Inc., Shimizu Corp. and Development Bank of Japan Inc. have invested in the company.

After the No. 1 Kairos rocket’s failed launch, a problem in the thrust settings was found, and measures were taken to revise the settings for the No. 2 Kairos rocket.