Space One’s Kairos Explodes Seconds After Liftoff; What Happened to Japan’s First Solid-Fuel Commercial Rocket?

On March 13, Japanese company Space One experienced a disastrous event when its inaugural launch of a small rocket ended in an explosion.

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons/ NASA)

Maiden Launch Gone Wrong

At 11:01 a.m., the four-stage Kairos solid rocket lifted from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in western Japan. The maiden flight abruptly ended right after it rose off the launch pad. The disaster resulted from a rocket explosion triggered by the flight termination system.

The project was supposed to be an attempt to be the first Japanese private launch firm to reach orbit, yet it ended in debris strewn across the launch site. During a post-launch press conference, the company confirmed that no personnel were injured.

According to Space One President Masakazu Toyoda, the space rocket terminated the flight after assessing its mission's achievement would be difficult. Authorities, however, did not state what triggered the autonomous flight termination system. A follow-up investigation is scheduled, with plans for the next launch based on the outcome and necessary measures to be taken.

The inaugural launch was scheduled for March 9 earlier but was rescheduled when a vessel triggered safety concerns downrange. Just a few hours before the explosion of Kairos, a Rocket Lab Electron rocket successfully launched a radar imaging satellite for the Japanese company Synspective. The Electron rocket was in a similar payload range to Kairos, capable of launching payloads of up to 660 pounds (300 kilograms).

The Kairos incident is a setback for the country's plans to develop its space industry. As of now, Japan's space policy committee is working on the details of a 10-year space strategic fund. This project aims to boost Japan's competitiveness, innovation, and autonomy in space.

These plans include improving the country's overall launch rate with the help of its new H3 rocket and private companies. Another Japanese launch company, Interstellar Technologies, plans to conduct its first orbital launch with its Zero rocket in 2025.

Aiming for the Right Moment

The Kairos rocket serves as the brainchild of Space One, whose primary objective is to revolutionize the space industry by providing an easy and affordable space launch service. Launching small satellites has become increasingly sought-after in the current era of space exploration.

The 59-foot (18-meter) rocket is composed of three solid propellant stages and a liquid propellant upper stage. It was designed to be highly automated and carry payloads of up to 550 pounds (250 kilograms) to low Earth orbit.

On June 18, 2021, Space One announced the selection of KAIROS (Kii-based Advanced & Instant Rocket System) as the name of the small rocket to be used in its space transportation business. The name is inspired by the Greek word "the right or critical moment." The initial attempt with the Kairos rocket was intended to test the possibility of a homegrown commercial launch business.

Space One was established in 2018 by major shareholders, including the Development Bank of Japan, Shimizu Corporation, IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd., and Canon Electronics. The Tokyo-based company aims to launch more than 20 times yearly before the end of 2030.