After a fire breaks out, Japan’s space agency JAXA calls off the Epsilon S rocket engine test, therefore severely compromising national autonomous launch goals.
A fire at the Tanegashima Space Center forced Japan’s space agency, JAXA, to postpone a crucial engine test for its Epsilon S rocket on Tuesday, thereby jeopardizing the country’s developing space program.
The public broadcaster NHK’s camera recorded the incident, which began with a loud explosion and a visual fire just 49 seconds into the ground combustion test.
A “combustion abnormality” caused the test’s emergency shutdown, according to JAXA.
The expected maiden launch of the Epsilon S, a next-generation solid-fuel small rocket being built by JAXA in cooperation with the aerospace division of the heavy equipment manufacturer, IHI, suffers greatly from the failing test.
The rocket’s first flight was initially scheduled for the end of the current fiscal year, which extends until March 31.
However, this most recent failure is likely to push the deadline further forward, potentially leading to additional delays in Japan’s broader space program and satellite launch schedule.
Along with a launch failure in 2022, the Epsilon S program has already encountered many challenges, including a separate engine test failure in July brought on by heat damage to the ignition systems.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi addressed the media, stressing the significance of the Epsilon S and the general autonomy of Japan’s space program.
JAXA will investigate the root cause of the most recent issue and apply suitable countermeasures.
With shares in IHI, the main partner in the Epsilon S development, falling as much as 6% in Tokyo trade, the canceled engine test has also immediately affected the financial markets.
An IHI Aerospace spokesman confirmed the company’s participation and said it is investigating the situation carefully.
The most recent setback stems from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ development of JAXA’s bigger flagship rocket, the H3, showing promise.
Following a launch abort in 2022, the H3 has effectively completed three missions this year, carrying Japanese satellites and even gaining orders from the French satellite operator Eutelsat.
Still, the Epsilon S failure poses a major obstacle to Japan’s space aspirations as the nation wants to build dependable and autonomous launch capacity to assist its expanding satellite and space research projects.
The research and any delays might have far-reaching effects on Japan’s space sector’s worldwide competitiveness in the fast-changing space technology scene as well as on its industry.