A rocket engine developed by Japan’s space agency, JAXA, exploded during a test on July 14, 2023. The engine was being tested at the Noshiro testing site in northern Japan when it burst into flames about 1 minute into testing the second stage of engine ignition. There were no injuries reported, but the explosion caused significant damage to the test site.
The engine that exploded was a prototype for the Epsilon S rocket, which is still under development. The Epsilon S is a small rocket designed to launch small satellites into orbit. The explosion is a setback for the Epsilon S program, but JAXA has stated that it will continue to develop the rocket.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but JAXA has mentioned that a problem with the fuel system could have caused the engine to malfunction. JAXA will conduct a full investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the explosion and prevent similar accidents in the future.
This is the second time that a rocket engine developed by JAXA has exploded during a test in recent months. In March 2023, a rocket engine for the H3 rocket exploded during a test at the Tanegashima Space Center. The H3 rocket is a new medium-lift rocket that is still under development. The explosion caused significant damage to the test stand, but no injuries were reported.
The explosions of these two rocket engines are setbacks for Japan’s space program. However, JAXA has a long history of success in developing and launching rockets, and it is likely that the agency will overcome these setbacks and continue to develop new and innovative space technologies.
