March 13, 2024 11:04 am | Updated 05:48 pm IST - TOKYOA rocket that was supposed to become Japan’s first from the private sector to put a satellite into orbit exploded shortly after takeoff on March 13, a livestreamed video showed. Online video showed the rocket called Kairos blasting off from Wakayama Prefecture, in central Japan, a mountainous area filled with trees, but exploding midair within seconds. The launch was already delayed several times, with the last postponement coming on Saturday, after a ship was spotted in a risk area, according to Japanese media reports. If it had succeeded, Space One would have been the first private company to put a rocket into orbit. The rocket was supposed to have sent a satellite into orbit around earth to gather various information.

Source: The Hindu March 13, 2024 22:26 UTC