![A Kairos rocket launched by the Japanese startup Space One exploded seconds after liftoff, marking a setback for the company’s ambitions. The incident occurred in a mountainous region of central Japan Wednesday, March 13. Videos captured the rocket’s ascent before it was engulfed in flames and smoke just five seconds into the flight.](https://san.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Japan-rocket-explodes-CLEAN-REUTERS.jpg?w=1920)
[KARAH RUCKER]
A ROCKET LAUNCHED BY JAPANESE START-UP SPACE-ONE EXPLODED JUST SECONDS AFTER LIFTOFF.
VIDEO SHOWS THE ROCKET TAKING OFF IN A MOUNTAINOUS REGION OF CENTRAL JAPAN — THEN AROUND FIVE SECONDS LATER – FLAMES AND SMOKE FILLED THE SKY.
FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO EXTINGUISH NEARBY FIRES THAT WERE SPARKED FROM BURNING DEBRIS.
A “SPACE-ONE” OFFICIAL SAYS THE ROCKET APPEARED TO HAVE SELF-DESTRUCTED AFTER DETECTING SOME SORT OF MALFUNCTION.
NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.
“SPACE ONE” HAD HOPED TO BECOME THE FIRST PRIVATE BUSINESS TO PUT A SATELLITE IN ORBIT.