Japan’s space program encountered another significant setback this week when a massive fire erupted at the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan on Tuesday.
The blaze, which followed a routine combustion test for the Epsilon S solid-fuel rocket, sent towering flames and white fumes into the sky, prompting an emergency response.
Although no injuries were reported, the fire raised serious concerns about the future of Japan’s ambitious space exploration goals.
The fire began around 8:30 a.m. local time (2330 GMT on Monday), just after the rocket’s test started.
Eyewitnesses and journalists stationed nearby described hearing a large explosion, followed by the rapid spread of flames.
National broadcaster NHK aired dramatic footage showing fireballs and thick smoke billowing from the launch site, underscoring the severity of the incident.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed that an “abnormality” occurred during the test, but could not immediately determine the exact cause of the explosion.
Project manager Takayuki Imoto stated that it would take “at least a few months” to fully investigate and determine the cause, possibly requiring additional tests to ensure safety.
This is the latest in a string of failures for Japan’s space program, which has been striving to catch up with global competitors in the field of rocket development.
In 2023, an earlier test of the Epsilon S rocket ended in disaster when one of its engines exploded shortly after ignition, damaging critical components.
Despite efforts to address the issues, the latest mishap has cast doubt on JAXA’s ability to meet its target launch date for the Epsilon S, which was scheduled for March 2025.
JAXA officials acknowledged the blow to the space agency’s ambitions, with Imoto expressing regret over the repeated failures and the subsequent delay.
“We have done everything we can to identify what went wrong… we regret this happened again, and feel sorry we failed to live up to everyone’s expectations,” he said.
The ongoing troubles highlight the challenges Japan faces in advancing its space exploration program, particularly in the development of its next-generation rockets.
The Epsilon S, considered a successor to the Epsilon rocket, is a vital part of Japan’s future space endeavors. Alongside the Epsilon S, the H3 launch system, intended to rival SpaceX’s Falcon 9, has also faced significant challenges.
After a successful launch in February 2024, the H3 program had previously encountered issues in 2023, including a failed ignition and a rocket destruction command shortly after liftoff.
In addition to these setbacks, Japan’s space ambitions were also tested by failures in the private sector.
Earlier this year, the privately-built Kairos rocket from Tokyo-based Space One exploded seconds after launch, marking another blow to the nation’s space efforts.
Despite these challenges, Japan has had some successes. In January 2024, it successfully landed an unmanned probe on the Moon, making it the fifth country to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface, albeit with some technical issues.
As Japan’s space agency works to recover from this latest disaster, the road ahead appears uncertain, with the timeline for future missions now potentially in jeopardy.