Kairos Rocket Explodes Seconds After Liftoff
On March 13th, a private company's attempt to launch a satellite into orbit ended in a spectacular failure just seconds after liftoff. The incident occurred at 11:01 a.m. at Space Port Kii in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.
The rocket, named Kairos, was developed by Tokyo-based Space One Co. The company had planned to place a satellite in orbit, marking a significant milestone for private space exploration. However, a computer detected problems with the rocket shortly after launch, triggering an intentional explosion.
Space One officials held a press conference later that day, explaining the cause of the explosion but stating that further analysis was needed to pinpoint the exact nature of the problems. This setback came after a previous launch attempt on March 9th was postponed due to boats entering restricted waters.
The failed launch marks a disappointment for Space One, which aimed to become the first private company to successfully launch a satellite into orbit. The company had planned for the Kairos rocket to reach an altitude of 500 kilometers and release a satellite belonging to the Cabinet Secretariat.
With this setback, Space One faces the challenge of returning to the drawing board and addressing the issues that led to the explosion. The company's ambition to provide a reliable space-delivery service for global customers remains on hold, awaiting a successful launch in the future.