A major fire erupted on Tuesday at Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center during a test of a solid-fuel Epsilon S rocket, according to televised footage. The incident sent towering balls of fire and white fumes into the sky, alarming observers and halting operations at the facility.
The blaze occurred in the remote Kagoshima region of southern Japan, with no reports of injuries in the sparsely populated area. National broadcaster NHK reported that the fire began during a combustion test that started around 8:30 a.m. local time, with media personnel stationed approximately 600 meters away to cover the event.
About 30 seconds into the test, witnesses heard a large explosion, and an object engulfed in flames appeared to fly toward the sea, NHK said. Footage captured by the broadcaster showed dramatic images of the explosion and subsequent fire, highlighting the intensity of the incident.
The Sankei Shimbun reported that orange flames burst from the rocket engine, which was placed on a horizontal platform, just before the explosion occurred. The Epsilon S rocket is a solid-fuel rocket developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for launching satellites and other payloads into orbit.
Officials have yet to release details about the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage to the facility. The incident raises concerns about the safety protocols during rocket testing and could potentially impact Japan’s space exploration timelines.
The Tanegashima Space Center is Japan’s largest rocket-launch complex and plays a crucial role in the country’s aerospace endeavors. As investigations continue, the global community watches closely for updates that could shed light on the incident and its implications for future space missions.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
