The launch of Space One's Japanese Kairos 2 rocket was canceled on Saturday about 30 minutes before the scheduled launch. It was intended to place five satellites in Earth orbit. Another flight attempt is to be made tomorrow.
The Kairos 2 rocket from the Tokyo-based private company Space One was to be launched on Saturday at 11 a.m. local time. According to The Japan Times, the mission was canceled about 30 minutes before the scheduled launch. The rocket was intended to place five satellites in Earth orbit.
The first in the history of the country
“We analyzed the weather conditions and determined that the wind speed above an altitude of 10 kilometers was so high that it was unsuitable for launch,” Kozo Abe, executive director of Space One, told reporters. He added that the company plans to make another attempt on Sunday at 11 a.m. local time (in Poland it will be 3 a.m. on Sunday). – We will make every effort to prepare for tomorrow's start – he emphasized.
If Sunday's launch is successful, Kairos 2 would become Japan's first rocket developed entirely by the private sector capable of putting a satellite into orbit.
Kairos 2 waiting for launchNewscom/PAP/EPA
Kairos 2 waiting for launchNewscom/PAP/EPA
Rocket explosion in March
In March, the Kairos 1 rocket exploded just five seconds after liftoff. It was launched from Space Port Kii, located in the city of Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Its remains fell onto a nearby mountainous area. The cause of the failure was problems with the rocket's first stage, and the autonomous flight system activated the self-destruct mechanism.
Space One was founded in 2018 by major companies including Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace, construction company Shimizu and the government-owned Development Bank of Japan. The company hopes to establish itself in the competitive international field by rapidly launching small rockets to companies looking to place satellites in space.
Main photo source: Newscom/PAP/EPA