Japanese space startup aborts 2nd satellite launch attempt minutes after liftoff

TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese space startup said its second attempt to launch a rocket carrying satellites into orbit had been aborted minutes after liftoff Wednesday and destroyed itself again, nine months after the company's first launch attempt ended in an explosion.

Space One's Kairos No. 2 rocket lifted off from a coastal site in the mountainous prefecture of Wakayama in central Japan.

The company said it had aborted the flight after concluding that it was unlikely to complete its mission.

“We are very sorry that we could not achieve as far as a final stage of the mission,” Space One President Masakazu Toyoda told a news conference Wednesday. “We don't consider this a failure because we are getting valuable data that will help our pursuit toward a next challenge.”

He said he hoped to find the cause to address the problems as soon as possible to achieve a success next time.

Company executive and space engineer Mamoru Endo said the abnormality in the first stage engine nozzle or its control system is likely to have caused an unstable flight of the rocket, which started spiraling in midflight and eventually destroyed itself about three minutes after liftoff, using its autonomous safety mechanism.

The rocket, which rose higher than 100 kilometers (60 miles) above ground, entered space entered space before it was destroyed, officials said.

Space One aims to be Japan’s first company to put a satellite into orbit, hoping to boost Japan’s lagging space industry with a small rocket for an affordable space transport business.

Wednesday's flight, postponed twice from Saturday because of strong winds, came nine months after a failed debut flight in March, when the rocket was intentionally exploded five seconds after takeoff. The flight was carrying a government satellite that was intended to monitor North Korea’s missile launches and other military activities.

Kairos No. 2 rocket was carrying five small satellites, including one from the Taiwanese space agency and several from Japanese startups.

Space One said it had fixed the cause of the debut flight failure, which stemmed from a miscalculation of the rocket’s first-stage propulsion.

Japan hopes the company can pave the way for a domestic space industry that competes with the United States.

Tokyo-based Space One was set up in 2018 with investments from major Japanese companies, including Canon Electronics, IHI, Shimizu and major banks, to commercialize space delivery services at lower costs and regular flights as many as 20 times a year, compared to six currently planned by the government-led space program.

Japan’s space development programs are led by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, and industry leaders such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and IHI, as they develop two main flagship rockets, the large H3 rocket and the much smaller Epsilon, to cater to the growing satellite transport business.

Space One President Masakazu Toyoda reacts during a press conference after its second attempt to launch the Kairos No. 2 rocket carrying satellites into orbit had been aborted minutes after liftoff, in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)

Space One President Masakazu Toyoda reacts during a press conference after its second attempt to launch the Kairos No. 2 rocket carrying satellites into orbit had been aborted minutes after liftoff, in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.(Kyodo News via AP)

Space One's Kairos No. 2 rocket, carrying satellites, is launched from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

Space One's Kairos No. 2 rocket, carrying satellites, is launched from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

Space One's Kairos No. 2 rocket, carrying satellites, is launched from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

People wait as the Kairos No. 2 rocket, a Japanese commercial rocket carrying a set of satellites, is scheduled to be launched from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

In this photo provided by the Space Port Kii Regional Council, Space One's Kairos rocket is launched from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Space Port Kii Regional Council via AP)

The Kairos No. 2 rocket, a Japanese commercial rocket carrying a set of satellites, waits to be launched from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

Space One's Kairos No. 2 rocket, carrying satellites, is launched from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

The Kairos No. 2 rocket, a Japanese commercial rocket carrying a set of satellites, is launched from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

The Kairos No. 2 rocket, a Japanese commercial rocket carrying a set of satellites, is launched from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

Space One's Kairos No. 2 rocket, carrying satellites, is launched from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

The Kairos No. 2 rocket, a Japanese commercial rocket carrying a set of satellites, is launched from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto town, western Japan Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Star Indian allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin announced his immediate retirement from international cricket on Wednesday.

Ashwin made the announcement at a hastily-called media conference following the drawn test between Australia and India at the Gabba.

“It’s a very emotional moment,” Ashwin said. "I have had a lot of fun, I have made a lot of memories alongside Rohit (captain Rohit Sharma) and my other teammates. I do feel there’s a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer but I would like to showcase that in club-level cricket.”

Ashwin played 106 tests for India since his 2011 debut, taking 537 wickets. He took more wickets against Australia than any other country, with 115 at 28.58 in 23 tests against them.

“A big thank-you to the Australian cricket team, who’ve been very fierce competitors," Ashwin said. “I’ve enjoyed my time playing against them.”

Sharma said he was aware of Ashwin’s desire to walk away before the start of the series, but convinced him to play in Adelaide last week.

The 38-year-old spinner was then left out of the third test in Brisbane, with Ravindra Jadeja taking his spot.

“He felt if I am not needed now in the series, I am better off saying goodbye to the team,” Sharma said.

Ashwin’s call means he will not be available for the final two tests in Australia, with Jadeja and Washington Sundar the two remaining spinners in the squad.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australia's captain Pat Cummins, left, celebrates with teammate Travis Head after the dismissal of India's Ravichandran Ashwin during the day three of the second cricket test match between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

India's Ravichandran Ashwin plays a shot to be caught behind by Australia's wicketkeeper Alex Carey during the day three of the second cricket test match between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

India's Ravichandran Ashwin walks off the field after losing his wicket during the day three of the second cricket test match between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/James Elsby)