VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

space rocket explode in Japan (Photo : TN) - 

VOInews, Tokyo : A rocket made by a Japanese company exploded seconds after launch on Wednesday (13/3), in a spectacular failure for the start-up's bid to put a satellite into orbit.

As reported by AFP, Tokyo-based Space One's 18-meter Kairos rocket blasted off in the coastal Wakayama region of western Japan, carrying a small government test satellite.

Five seconds later, live footage showed the solid-fuel rocket erupting in fire, sending white smoke billowing around the remote mountainous area as orange flames raged on the ground.

The fiery failure marks a blow to Japan's efforts to enter the potentially lucrative satellite-launch market.

Space One is hoping to become the nation's first private firm to put a satellite into orbit, and the plan had been for Kairos to do so around 51 minutes after take-off.

Parts shortages and other problems had reportedly led Space One to postpone the launch of Kairos five times before Wednesday's attempt, most recently on Saturday (9/3)//AFP-VOI