Japan's First Rocket Explodes After Takeoff

Space One was established in 2018 by a team of major Japanese tech businesses, including Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace, construction firm Shimizu and the government-owned Development Bank of Japan.

Last July another Japanese rocket, the solid-fuel Epsilon S, exploded during a test about 50 seconds after ignition.

Then, last month though, Japan’s space agency toasted a successful blast-off for its new flagship rocket, the H3, after years of delays and two previous failed attempts.

That followed Japan’s successful landing – albeit on its side – of an unmanned probe on the moon, making it just the fifth country to achieve a “soft landing” on the lunar surface.