• Japan's Space One's Kairos rocket failed its second launch attempt, underscoring challenges in Japan's rocket development sector.
• The rocket, carrying five small satellites, lost stability in its trajectory shortly after liftoff from Spaceport Kii.
• Space One, founded in 2018, is investigating the incident; their first launch attempt in March also ended in failure.
• The failure highlights the inherent risks in space exploration, but also the resilience and determination of those involved in the industry.

Japan's Space One's Kairos rocket experienced a significant setback on Wednesday, marking the second unsuccessful attempt in nine months to deliver a satellite to space. The failure occurred shortly after liftoff, underscoring the challenges facing Japan's rocket development sector. This comes at a time when the government is making concerted efforts to bolster the domestic space industry, with an ambitious target of 30 annual rocket launches by the early 2030s.

The 18-meter (59 ft) solid-propellant Kairos rocket was launched from Spaceport Kii in western Japan at 11:00 a.m. (0200 GMT). However, live images from the local Wakayama prefecture government showed the rocket losing stability in its trajectory shortly after liftoff. The flight, which lasted approximately 10 minutes, was terminated due to the difficulty in achieving its mission, according to an email from Space One to reporters.

The rocket was carrying five small satellites, including one from the Taiwan Space Agency, intended for a sun-synchronous orbit approximately 500 km (311 miles) above the Earth's surface.

Space One's Struggles and the Japanese Space Industry

Space One, founded in 2018 by Canon Electronics, IHI's aerospace unit, construction firm Shimizu, and a state-backed bank, is currently investigating the incident. A press conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time. The company's first attempt to launch the Kairos rocket in March also ended in failure when the rocket, carrying a Japanese government satellite, exploded five seconds after launch. The company later revealed that inappropriate flight settings had triggered the rocket's autonomous self-destruct system, despite no issues being found with its hardware.

The lack of domestic launch options has led emerging Japanese space startups, such as radar satellite maker iQPS and debris mitigator Astroscale, to rely on SpaceX's rideshare missions or leading small rocket provider Rocket Lab. The Japanese government hopes that companies like Space One can pave the way for a competitive domestic space industry.

However, other recent Japanese rocket projects have also encountered difficulties. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) had to postpone the debut flight of its new solid-fuel launcher, Epsilon S, after its engine combustion test failed for the second time last month. JAXA's larger liquid-propellant rocket H3 also failed at its inaugural launch in March 2023 but has since succeeded in three flights this year, securing orders from clients such as French satellite giant Eutelsat.

Automation in the Space Industry and Historical Context

The Kairos rocket is part of a broader trend towards automation in the space industry. The rocket was designed to be highly automated, including its flight termination system, requiring only a dozen staff at the ground control center. Despite the explosion, no injuries were reported near the launch site, and a fire that broke out has since been extinguished.

The incident is reminiscent of the challenges faced by the U.S. in its early days of space exploration over 50 years ago, when the race to the moon against the former Soviet Union was marked by numerous setbacks. Despite these challenges, seven-in-ten Americans believe it is essential for the U.S. to continue to be a world leader in space, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2023. The survey also found that 65% of U.S. adults believe it is essential for NASA to continue to be involved in space exploration, even as private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic increasingly enter the space sector.

As Japan continues to navigate its path in the space industry, the country can look to the experiences of other nations and private companies for lessons and inspiration. Despite the setbacks, the determination to reach the stars remains undiminished, reflecting the global ambition to explore and understand the cosmos. This incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks and challenges in space exploration, but it also underscores the resilience and determination of those who dare to reach for the stars.