A Space One Co. satellite-carrying rocket exploded Wednesday moments after liftoff from a spaceport in western Japan, dealing a setback to the company's aspirations of becoming the first private Japanese firm to place a satellite into orbit.
The company's 18-meter-long Kairos rocket failed in its launch from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan's first commercial launch site. It was announced shortly after that "flight termination measures" had been safely implemented.
Local firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Police said there have been no reports of casualties so far.
The rocket exploded midair around five seconds after liftoff, as fragments believed to be from the projectile were scattered around the area, and the scene was blanketed by white smoke.
"We sincerely apologize for not living up to expectations," said Space One President Masakazu Toyoda at a press conference, while adding, "Space One refuses to use the word 'failure,' as we believe that we can gain new data and experiences through each and every attempt."
The company said it had set up a task force to investigate the cause of the failure.
The government satellite on the rocket is believed to have been destroyed in the blast.
The cries of the many people gathered at an observation venue located approximately 2 kilometers southwest of Space Port Kii could be heard upon the announcement that the launch had failed.
"It's a great shock," said Yoko Okada, a 17-year-old high school student who aspires to a space-related career. "It's a shame I couldn't see the rocket, but I hope they persevere and don't give up."
Jun Ueyama, 48, an official from the city of Gobo, said, "I'm feeling sad. I took a day off (to come see this)."
The launch was initially scheduled for Saturday but was delayed after the company discovered the presence of a ship in a section of the ocean it had designated as needing to be empty for safety.
According to the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center, the satellite on board the rocket was meant to perform some of the functions of an existing government satellite in monitoring military facilities in North Korea.
Space One, established in 2018, seeks to commercialize space delivery services by lowering costs and offering rocket launches at high frequency. It aims to send into space 30 rockets a year by the 2030s.
The company is aiming for short lead times of launches less than one year after concluding contracts with customers.
"We believe that to complete all of our missions is the truest way to contribute to the local community," Toyoda said, adding that Space One will not change its plans for putting satellites into space.
The company was set up by Canon Electronics Inc., IHI Aerospace Co., Shimizu Corp. and the government-owned Development Bank of Japan.
Plans to launch its first rocket, initially set to take place by the end of March 2022 at the latest, were postponed four times due to the pandemic and logistics delays.
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