[imagesource:nbcnews]

A Japanese company launched an 18-metre rocket intending to put a satellite into orbit, but the thing exploded as soon as it took off.

On Wednesday, Tokyo-based Space One’s Kairos rocket blasted off from the company’s launch pad in the Wakayama region of western Japan, carrying a small government test satellite.

However, it took mere seconds for the solid-fuelled rocket to explode in flames, sending smoke billowing into the remote mountainous area. Then, flaming debris fell onto the surrounding slopes as sprinklers were set off, spraying water on the hot mess. The hundreds of spectators who had gathered at public viewing areas including a nearby waterfront, were left crestfallen.

“I had high hopes for this, so I’m disappointed. I want to know what happened,” one elderly man told public broadcaster NHK.

Space One said in a statement that the mission was aborted adding that “details are being investigated”.

It’s pretty normal for early attempts to launch a new rocket system to fail, and even expected, as exemplified by SpaceX. It is still a massive blow for Space One that this launch failure will thwart Japan’s efforts to enter the potentially lucrative commercial satellite launch market.

The plan had been for Kairos – an ancient Greek word meaning “the right moment” – to put the satellite into orbit about 51 minutes after take-off. Parts shortages and other problems had reportedly led Space One to postpone the launch of Kairos five times, most recently on Saturday.

I guess it’s not the right time yet.

[source:guardian]