On the morning of March 13, Space One Co. faced a setback as their first satellite launch ended in a dramatic explosion just seconds after liftoff. The Tokyo-based company had ambitious plans to launch its Kairos rocket from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, with the aim of placing a satellite into orbit, marking a significant milestone in private space exploration.
Following the failed launch, Space One officials addressed the public during a news conference to disclose that the explosion had been intentionally triggered by the rocket's computer system detecting anomalies. The company assured that while the cause of the issues had to be further investigated through data analysis, they were determined to identify the root of the problem that led to such a public failure in their first attempt at satellite deployment.
Prior to the unsuccessful liftoff on March 13, Space One had to postpone an earlier launch set for March 9 due to unauthorized boats entering restricted launch areas. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, the company had set its sights on entering the commercial space launch industry by utilizing their own rockets and launch facilities. With the failed launch, Space One now faces the daunting task of reassessing their technology and operational processes to ensure they can deliver reliable space services to their global customer base.