BIG BREAKING: Japan’s first commercial orbital launch ends in a spectacular explosion

SCOOP: Goodness me! Space One’s maiden flight - Japan’s first private-sector orbital launch – ended in a spectacular explosion seconds after liftoff. The maiden flight of the new launcher took place on Tuesday Eastern time from the Space One launch pad. The Kii-based Advanced & Instant Rocket System (KAIROS) is a four-stage launcher with three solid-fueled stages and a fourth upper kick stage which is liquid-fueled. The rocket stands at 18 meters high, is just under 1.5 meters wide, and masses 23,000 kilograms. KAIROS, also named after the Greek god of opportunity, is capable of lifting 250 kilograms to a low-Earth orbit at 500 kilometers, inclined 33 degrees, or carrying a 150-kilogram payload into a sun-synchronous polar orbit at 500 kilometers, inclined 97 degrees. #JAXA #Kairos #SpaceOne