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Japanese Startup’s Second Orbital Launch Attempt Ends in Failure as Kairos Rocket Self-Destructs

The solid-fuel Kairos rocket by Tokyo-based startup Space One is launched at the company's Spaceport Kii launch pad in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture on December 18, 2024. A space rocket built by a Japanese startup blasted off on December 18 but was later seen spiralling downwards in the distance as the company said the launch attempt had failed.

As a result of the failure, Japan's private sector has yet to independently place a satellite in Earth orbit.