A Private Company's First Satellite Launch Ends in a Spectacular Failure
On March 13th, a private company's attempt to launch a satellite into orbit ended in a spectacular failure just seconds after liftoff. The explosion occurred at 11:01 a.m. during the first launch attempt by Tokyo-based Space One Co. from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture.
The company had planned to place a satellite in orbit with its first Kairos rocket. However, a computer detected problems with the rocket and triggered an intentional explosion. Space One officials held a news conference later that day to explain the situation, but they added that further analysis of the data would be needed to determine the exact nature of the problems.
This launch attempt was rescheduled after an earlier one on March 9th had to be postponed due to boats entering the designated off-limits waters. No private company has ever successfully launched a satellite into orbit. Space One had planned for the Kairos rocket to reach an altitude of about 500 kilometers and release a satellite of the Cabinet Secretariat approximately 51 minutes after liftoff.
The company aimed to enter the commercial space launch business using its own rocket and launch site. However, this setback forces them to re-evaluate their plans and determine how to proceed in providing a reliable space-delivery service to their global customers.