The recent launch attempt by Space One Co., a Japanese startup, ended in an unfortunate setback as their first rocket, Kairos, exploded seconds after liftoff. This incident marks a significant delay in the company’s plans to join the surging market for commercial launches.
The lightweight Kairos rocket was engulfed in flames just moments after its launch at approximately 11 a.m. local time from Space Port Kii, situated about 420 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. The live broadcast revealed a smoke plume encircling the fiery debris, which was subsequently extinguished.
According to Space One’s CEO, Masakazu Toyota, a self-destruct order was dispatched to the vessel around five seconds post-launch. He stated that a panel would soon be convened to investigate the occurrence. Until the findings of this panel are presented, the future of further launches remains uncertain.
Following the explosion, Canon Electronics Inc., which backs Space One, saw its shares drop by nearly 13%. Interestingly, just a day prior to the launch, Canon’s subsidiary had traded at its highest level since April 2018.
Shuhei Kishimoto, the Governor of Wakayama, expressed relief that the self-destruct mechanism had activated promptly, preventing any injuries.
The Kairos rocket, whose name signifies “the right moment” in ancient Greek, was transporting a government satellite, as per Space One’s report. The launch had initially been set for March 9, but was postponed after an unexpected vessel was detected offshore in an area that was supposed to be clear.
Established in 2018, Space One is backed by various investors, including Canon Electronics Inc., IHI Aerospace Engineering Co., real estate contractor Shimizu Corp., and the Development Bank of Japan. The CEO, Masakazu Toyoda, mentioned that previous launches were delayed due to the global pandemic and the crisis in Ukraine.
Despite the setback with Kairos, the company remains hopeful. Measuring 18 meters in height, the Kairos is shorter than JAXA’s 24-meter-tall Epsilon and the 63-meter-tall H3. However, its size could prove advantageous by offering competitive prices and frequent missions, according to Toyoda.
Space Port Kii is Japan’s premier launch complex for commercial missions, providing an alternative to JAXA’s southern Japan site.
This incident underscores the inherent risks involved in space exploration and the commercial launch market. However, it also highlights the importance of robust safety mechanisms and thorough investigation procedures in the wake of such events.
The events surrounding the explosion of the Kairos rocket underscore the inherent challenges and risks associated with space exploration. Despite the setback, the future of commercial launches remains promising, underpinned by robust safety mechanisms and the unwavering spirit of innovation.
