Japan Scraps Epsilon S Rocket Test After Onboard Fire

Fire Halts Japan's Epsilon S Rocket Test

“JAXA will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the problem and consider...”

Japan's space agency, JAXA, is unlikely to meet its target of launching the Epsilon S rocket by March 2025, dealing another blow to the country's space program.

Japan's space agency, JAXA, was forced to cancel an engine test for its Epsilon S rocket on Tuesday after a significant fire erupted at the Tanegashima Space Center.

“There was an abnormality during today's combustion test. We are trying to assess what happened,” JAXA said.

The Asahi Shimbun newspaper has reported that Japan's space agency, JAXA, is unlikely to meet its target of launching the Epsilon S rocket by March 2025, with the plan now considered practically impossible. The Epsilon S is designed to replace the existing Epsilon rocket.

Japan's space program has been plagued by a series of setbacks. Most notably, the country's next-generation H3 launch system has experienced multiple failed launch attempts, highlighting the challenges facing Japan's space ambitions.

“JAXA will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the problem and consider countermeasures,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Japanese government's top spokesperson.

“The development of flagship rockets is extremely important for independence of Japan's space development program.”

According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, Japan's space agency, JAXA, is now highly unlikely to meet its planned launch of the Epsilon S rocket by March 2025. The Epsilon S is intended to succeed the Epsilon rocket.

Japan's space program has experienced a series of setbacks in recent times. Notably, the country's next-generation H3 launch system has faced failed launch attempts. Furthermore, in March, a privately developed rocket by Tokyo-based Space One exploded just seconds after liftoff.