The rocket appeared to be flying normally at first, but things quickly started to fall apart.
About two minutes after liftoff, Kairos appeared to lose attitude control, and began tumbling its way downwards.
The rockets autonomous self-destruct system was set off due to anomalous flight prefs about five seconds after launch.
The solid-fuel Kairos rocket launched from Spaceport Kii launch pad in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture on December 18, 2024.JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images
Kairos was carrying an experimental satellite for the Japanese government.
The company aims to launch 30 rockets annually by the 2030s,accordingto Kyodo News.
JAXA is also seeking to compete in the new space age.
Despite some failures of its own, JAXAlaunchedits newH3 rocket on the second attempt in February.
Japans Epsilon S rocket, on the other hand,exploded during a test in late November.
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