JP’s Space One says 2nd rocker launch attempt fails

A Japanese venture firm failed in its effort to launch a small rocket on Wednesday. In March, the firm's first rocket exploded soon after liftoff. Space One's second Kairos rocket was about 18 meters tall and used solid fuel.

It lifted off from a launch pad in Japan’s Kushimoto Town on Wednesday.

The five small satellites that the rocket was carrying were supposed to be detached and put into orbit about 50 minutes after liftoff, at an altitude of around 500 kilometers.

But the rocket experienced trouble during its ascent. Space One said that the bottom part of the rocket was able to separate, and that the rocket was able to release the cover on its head.

But it notes it determined that the mission could not be carried out, so it aborted the flight. If Wednesday's launch had been successful, Space One would have become the first private Japanese company to put satellites into orbit on its own.