A start-up aiming to become Japan’s first private firm to put a satellite into orbit postponed a rocket launch for the second day running on Sunday, local media said, after its first try ended in a mid-air explosion.
Advertisement
Tokyo-based Space One had initially scheduled lift-off for its Kairos rocket for 11am on Saturday, but pushed the launch back 24 hours because of high wind speeds.
It postponed the launch again on Sunday because of weather, according to local media including national broadcaster NHK.
Space One officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
In March, the solid-fuel Kairos, carrying a small government test satellite, lifted off for the first time from the Space One launch pad, dubbed Spaceport Kii.
Advertisement
But seconds later, technical problems were detected and a self-destruct order was sent to the 18-metre rocket.