Japan’s first private satellite explodes seconds after liftoff | WATCH

Japan’s first private satellite – Kairos – exploded seconds after liftoff on Wednesday morning. The solid-fuel rocket manufactured by Space One was set for its inaugural flight. The 59-ft rocket exploded just seconds after liftoff. The video of the liftoff explosion has gone viral on social media.

The explosion on the launch pad left behind fire, a massive cloud of smoke. Water sprays near the launch pad were seen firefighting shortly after the explosion. In case it was a successful liftoff, Space One would have become first company in Japan to put a satellite in Earth’s orbit.

Wakayama Governor Shuhei Kishimoto said that an issue in the autonomous flight-termination system of the spacecraft led to the explosion on the launch pad. However, he did not reveal the specifics of the issue. No injury was reported after the explosion and the fire was doused quickly.

Meanwhile, Space One has said that this was an extremely automated launch with just 12 people required to oversee the ground control during the liftoff. This explains why there were no injuries during the explosion. A Reuters report said that Kairos was carrying a Japanese government’s experimental satellite. This was done to ensure a quick replacement of intelligence rocket in case they go offline and fall from the orbit.