Japan's JAXA Halts Epsilon S Engine Test After Second Explosion; No Injuries Reported

Nov 26, 2024, 01:48 AM

Japan's space agency JAXA halted an engine combustion test of its next-generation Epsilon S solid-fuel rocket after an explosion and fire broke out at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on Tuesday. Approximately 49 seconds after ignition at 8:30 a.m. local time, a 'don' sound was heard followed by flames and smoke. The fire was extinguished, and there were no reported injuries or damage to third-party property, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno. This marks the second consecutive failure of the Epsilon S engine tests, following a similar explosion during a test in July last year. JAXA is investigating the cause of the incident to determine future steps for the rocket's development.