Space One, a Tokyo-based space startup, faced another setback in its mission to develop Japan's domestic space industry when its second rocket launch was aborted minutes after liftoff. The Kairos No. 2 rocket, designed to carry small satellites into orbit, launched from Spaceport Kii in the Wakayama prefecture on Wednesday. The rocket's trajectory became unstable shortly after takeoff, leading to a termination of the flight about 10 minutes in. The mission, which carried five satellites, including one from the Taiwan Space Agency, aimed to place them into a sun-synchronous orbit approximately 500 kilometers above Earth.

This failure comes just nine months after Space One's debut rocket launch ended in an explosion, attributed to incorrect flight settings triggering the rocket's self-destruct system. Despite these setbacks, Space One remains committed to its goal of launching 20 small rockets annually by 2029, contributing to Japan’s goal of becoming a major player in the growing satellite launch market. The company was founded in 2018 by Canon Electronics, IHI’s aerospace unit, Shimizu, and a state-backed bank, with the aim of bolstering Japan's space capabilities to compete with global leaders in the industry.

Space One is currently investigating the cause of the failed launch and plans to hold a press conference later today. Despite these challenges, the company is determined to overcome obstacles and help build Japan's competitive space industry.