Tokyo: The engine of a small new Japanese rocket caught fire during a combustion test on Tuesday. According to Japan's Kyodo news agency, an explosion occurred after the fire and a cloud of white smoke started rising. Last year too, a similar fire broke out after an explosion in the same 'Epsilon S engine' during testing.
There was an explosion earlier also
Kyodo quoted the 'Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency' which investigated the incident as saying that there were no casualties. Last year, Kyodo reported that the explosion was caused by a piece of metal melting and damaging a part of the engine. The Epsilon S rocket aims to improve Japan's position in the growing satellite launch market.
Japan Rocket Engine Fire
investigation initiated
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters after the accident that the test was conducted inside the restricted area of the Tanegashima Space Center located in southwestern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is investigating this. “The development of major rockets such as Epsilon S is extremely important from the point of view of ensuring the autonomy of Japan's space development,” he said. (AP)
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