The first rocket launched by Japanese start-up Space One exploded seconds after liftoff on Wednesday, dashing its ambition to become the country’s first private company to put a satellite into orbit.
The Kairos solid-fuel rocket launched shortly after 11 a.m. local time and burst into flames less than ten seconds later, according to live streams of the launch. The blast left behind a large plume of smoke and ignited a fire in a nearby forest that firefighters were battling to put out.
The 60-foot-long rocket weighs 23 tons and was launched from Space Port Kii in Wakayama Prefecture on Japan’s main island, according to the company’s website.
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion or if anyone was injured. Space One did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday afternoon.
This is a developing story.
