Tech Desk 
Dec 16, 2024
Space One has postponed its Kairos rocket launch, which was scheduled for Sunday after its first attempt ended in a mid-air explosion.
The Tokyo-based company had initially scheduled the liftoff for its Kairos rocket for 11:00am on Saturday but pushed the launch back 24 hours.
Space One’s Kairos rocket was set to launch from its private launch pad in Wakayama, but the launch was called off 20 minutes prior because of high wind speeds.
According to Space One executive, Kozo Abe, the wind speeds above 10 kilometres altitude were so strong and unsuitable for launch.
Space One aims to become Japan's first private firm to put a satellite into orbit. The company hopes to offer cheaper and more frequent space exploration opportunities, imitating the success of Elon Musk's SpaceX, which has contracts with NASA and the Pentagon.
Notably, the solid-fuel Kairos rocket, carrying a small government test satellite, had lifted off for the first time in March 2024 but failed.
The company is determined to succeed in its next attempt. The company plans to make another attempt likely on Wednesday at 11:00 am with the executive stating that the company will do its utmost to prepare for the upcoming launch.
