Japan’s Space One Cancels Kairos Rocket Launch

Kushimoto, Wakayama Pref., March 1 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo-based startup Space One Co. said Sunday that it has canceled the launch of the No. 3 unit of its Kairos rocket scheduled for the day at Spaceport Kii in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan. The space development company said that the decision was made due to unfavorable weather conditions. The launch will be delayed to Wednesday or later. At a press conference in Kushimoto, executive Kozo Abe said that the air flow around 10 kilometers high was weaker than expected, leading to the possibility that a resultant change in the flight direction may put excessive stress on part of the rocket. Space One failed in the launches of the No. 1 and No. 2 units in 2024. The launch of the No. 3 unit was originally scheduled for Wednesday last week but was put off to Sunday because of bad weather. The Kairos No. 3 rocket, about 18 meters long and weighing about 23 tons, has a three-stage solid fuel engine and a liquid fuel engine for adjustments. It is set to carry five satellites, including a small one developed by students at Hiroo Gakuen Senior High School in Tokyo. Space One aims to be the first in Japan to put a satellite into orbit with a rocket developed by the private sector alone. Space One was founded in 2018 with investments from Canon Electronics Inc., IHI Aerospace Co. and others. It plans to launch 30 satellites annually in the 2030s to commercialize small satellite transport services. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]