Japan launch of new H3 rocket fails after lift-off

Japan’s space agency intentionally destroyed a new H3 rocket moments into its launch on Tuesday after the ignition for the second stage of the country's first new rocket series in more than two decades failed. The rocket blasted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan.

It followed its planned trajectory and the second stage separated as planned, but the ignition for it failed. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said it sent a command to destroy the rocket as there was no hope for it to complete its mission.Officials are investigating the cause of the failure.