A solid-fuel engine designed to power the small Epsilon S rocket burst into flames on Tuesday during a test at the Tanegashima space center in Japan, the JAXA space agency said. The police and fire brigade reported that there were no casualties.
The incident occurred 49 seconds after the ground test of the second stage engine began at 8:30 a.m. local time (00:30 in Poland). The Japan Aeronautics and Space Administration (JAXA) said a “combustion abnormality” occurred during the test, which was expected to last about 120 seconds.
As described by public broadcaster NHK, flames first appeared, less than a minute later an explosion was heard, and then white smoke enveloped the area.
Local police and fire departments say there are no reports of injuries. JAXA initiated an investigation.
This is not the first similar case
Japanese media recall that in July last year there was an explosion caused by abnormal combustion during a test of the rocket's second stage in Akita Prefecture. The explosion occurred 57 seconds after ignition. According to the Kyodo agency, the incidents may slow down the progress of work on the Epsilon S rocket, which is to be the successor to the current Epsilon series and increase Japan's competitiveness in the sector of launching satellites into orbit. The launch of the rocket was originally planned for March next year.
Main photo source: X/@nhk_news