Japan's Space One startup faced a major setback after its second rocket launch attempt failed. The Kairos rocket, launched on December 18, 2024, was carrying five satellites, including one from Taiwan's Space Agency and others developed by Japanese students and businesses. However, shortly after liftoff, the rocket began spiraling downward, and the company confirmed the failure.

This marks the second failure for Space One in its goal to become Japan’s first private company to place a satellite into orbit. The first attempt in March 2024 ended in a mid-air explosion. Spectators at Spaceport Kii in Japan’s Wakayama region expressed their disappointment as the rocket failed to reach orbit.

Unlike the March failure, there was no dramatic explosion this time. The company stated that the rocket “terminated its flight” after determining that its mission could not be completed. Space One is currently investigating the cause of the failure and will hold a press conference later today.

Space One, founded in 2018, is backed by several major companies, including Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace, and Shimizu Corporation, as well as the Development Bank of Japan. The startup aims to tap into the rapidly growing market for satellite launches, hoping to emulate the success of SpaceX, which has contracts with NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Despite Space One’s setbacks, Japan’s space industry has faced its own challenges. Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has had multiple issues with its next-generation H3 rocket, including delays after a test resulted in a fire. However, JAXA succeeded in landing an unmanned probe on the Moon earlier this year, making Japan just the fifth country to achieve a soft lunar landing.

As Space One looks ahead, it remains focused on overcoming its technical challenges. The company’s long-term goal is to provide more affordable and frequent satellite launches, with the hope of eventually joining the ranks of major players in the space industry.

BUSINESSTIMES/AFP