Tokyo: An engine for Japan’s new small rocket caught fire during a combustion test on Tuesday. According to Japan’s Kyodo News Agency, an explosion occurred after the fire and a cloud of white smoke began to appear. Last year, the same “Epsilon S engine” exploded during testing, causing a similar fire.
There had been an explosion earlier
Kyodo News quoted the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which investigated the incident, as saying there were no casualties. Last year’s explosion was caused by a piece of metal that melted and damaged part of the engine, Kyodo News reported. The Epsilon S rocket is designed to boost Japan’s position in the growing satellite launch market.
Japanese rocket engine catches fire
Investigation has been initiated
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Hayashi told reporters after the accident that the test was conducted in a restricted area at the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is investigating. “The development of major rockets such as Epsilon S is extremely important from the perspective of ensuring Japan’s autonomy in space development,” he said.
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