Space One cancels third Kairos rocket launch due to bad weather

Japan's private space company Space One canceled the launch of its third Kairos small rocket on Sunday due to unfavorable weather conditions. This setback delays the company's effort to become the first Japanese private firm to place satellites into orbit using a domestically developed rocket. The attempt scheduled for Wednesday last week was also postponed for the same reason.

Space One announced the cancellation of its 18-meter Kairos rocket launch on Sunday due to unfavorable weather conditions. This marks the second postponement in the past week, following the delay of an attempt scheduled for Wednesday, also caused by bad weather.

The company is striving to be the first Japanese private firm to successfully place satellites into orbit with a domestically developed rocket. However, it has encountered difficulties, with two failed launch attempts in 2024. The first Kairos rocket exploded shortly after liftoff in March, and the second flight was aborted roughly three minutes after launch in December.

This latest cancellation further hinders Space One's ambitions. The firm plans to reschedule once weather conditions improve.

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