Second Failure in 16 Months: Japanese Rocket Engine Explodes During Test
An engine test for Japan's upcoming Epsilon S rocket ended in an explosion on Tuesday, November 26. This marks the second time in less than two years that this type of engine has failed during testing.
The incident occurred 49 seconds into a test of the second-stage engine at the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. The engine, standing 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) tall, was intended for use in the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) new rocket, which was scheduled for a maiden flight in March 2025 to launch a Vietnamese satellite.
The explosion raises concerns about the Epsilon S rocket's development timeline. JAXA officials announced an investigation into the cause of the failure, which remains undetermined.
"We deeply regret falling short of expectations," said Takayuki Imoto, JAXA's project manager, during a press conference reported by Kyodo News. "Failures provide valuable lessons. We will use this experience to build a more reliable rocket."
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