Space One's launch of Japan's Kairos 2 rocket was canceled about 30 minutes before its scheduled liftoff on Saturday. It was designed to place five satellites in Earth orbit. Another flight attempt will be made tomorrow.
The Kairos 2 rocket was scheduled to launch at 11 a.m. local time on Saturday from Tokyo-based Space One. According to The Japan Times, the mission was canceled about 30 minutes before the scheduled takeoff. The rocket was designed to place five satellites in the Earth's orbit.
The first in the history of the country
“We analyzed the weather conditions and found that the wind speed at an altitude of 10 kilometers was too high for the launch,” Space One CEO Kozo Abe told reporters. He added that the company has decided to make another attempt on Sunday at 11 a.m. local time (3:00 a.m. Sunday in Poland). – We will use all our strength to prepare for the beginning of tomorrow, – he emphasized.
If Sunday's launch is successful, Kairos 2 will become Japan's first fully privately developed rocket capable of launching a satellite.
Kairos 2 is awaiting Newscom/PAP/EPA launch
Kairos 2 is awaiting Newscom/PAP/EPA launch
Rocket explosion in March
In March, the Kairos 1 rocket exploded just five seconds after liftoff. It was launched from the Kii Spaceport in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Its remains fell into a nearby mountainous area. The reason for the failure was the problems of the first stage of the rocket, and the autonomous flight system activated the self-destruct mechanism.
Space One was founded in 2018 by major companies including Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace, Shimizu Construction Company and the State Development Bank of Japan. The company hopes to establish itself in the competitive international arena by rapidly launching small rockets to companies that want to put satellites into space.
Main photo source: Newscom/PAP/EPA
