Society | Jun 30

Hokkaido launch of privately developed rocket fails, bursting into flames after liftoff

Jun 30 (Japan Times) - The launch of what would have been Japanâ€™s first privately developed rocket to reach outer space failed Saturday after it burst into flames seconds after liftoff, the Hokkaido-based developer said.

Officials of Interstellar Technologies Inc., founded by former Livedoor Co. President Takafumi Horie, said the rocket, Momo-2, exploded in midair at around 5:30 a.m. shortly after liftoff from a test site in the Hokkaido town of Taiki.

No injuries were reported in the explosion of the unmanned rocket, which is about 10 meters long, 50 centimeters in diameter and weighs 1 ton.

This is the second failed launch in a row for Interstellar Technologies. Last July, it attempted to send a rocket into space at an altitude of over 100 kilometers, but had to abort the launch of Momo-1 after contact was lost some 70 seconds into the flight.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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