Japan’s space agency JAXA, i.e. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, suffered heavy losses on Friday, i.e. July 14, 2023, when a rocket engine exploded during testing. The explosion occurred during a test at the Noshiro Test Center in Akita Prefecture. Fortunately, there was no casualty in this blast. The Japanese official has confirmed this incident.
According to the Kyodo news agency, the explosion shook the entire area. According to the report, about a minute after the start of the test, the engine of the rocket exploded. A spokesman for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said the explosion occurred during a test in the engine of the Epsilon S rocket. The pictures of this blast are going viral. Flames have been seen coming out of the test centre in it. Due to this, the whole building came under fire.
The Rocket Was Carrying Eight Satellites
According to the Kyodo news agency, it carried eight satellites developed by private and public entities, including universities. In a press conference after the failed launch, the agency said the rocket exploded after it deviated from its intended position and failed to place the satellites in orbit.
The Attempt Was Also Unsuccessful In March
After this accident, the agency had to postpone the launch of Epsilon S from FY 2023 to FY 2024. It is worth mentioning that Japan has faced many failures in the space sector recently; earlier in March, Japan’s space agency was also shocked when rocket H3 failed on its first flight; it is a medium-lift. The launching was correct, but the rocket started to deviate due to the non-start of the second stage’s engine. In such a situation, the rocket was blown up by exploding in space.
