Enlarge image
A rocket belonging to the Japanese private company Space One detonated seconds after takeoff
Photo: AP
A private company's satellite launch failed in Japan.
The “Kairos” carrier rocket exploded shortly after takeoff.
As Japanese media reported on Wednesday, the self-destruction was triggered by an unknown cause.
Tokyo-based Space One wanted to be the first private company to send a satellite into orbit from Japan's commercial spaceport Space Port Kii in Kushimoto.
The failed launch is a setback for Japan's efforts to penetrate the potentially lucrative satellite launch market.
Japan's state space agency Jaxa recently successfully launched the new H3 carrier rocket.
The rocket lifted off last month from Japan's state-owned Tanegashima spaceport in the southwest with a dummy satellite and two tiny satellites on board.
With the restart, the space agency Jaxa wanted to dispel doubts about the reliability of the new launch vehicle.
During a first launch attempt last year, the engine of the second rocket stage failed to ignite.
Since the mission had no chance of success, the self-destruction was triggered shortly after takeoff.
The H3 is the successor to the reliable H2A rocket and Japan's first new development of its own large launch vehicle in around 30 years.
The H3 is considered more powerful, cheaper and safer than the H2A, which is scheduled to be phased out in the new fiscal year starting April 1.
vet/dpa/AFP