JAXA Halts Epsilon S Rocket Engine Test After Explosion

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has halted an engine combustion test for the second stage of its upgraded Epsilon S rocket after an explosion at a testing facility in southwestern Japan. The incident, which occurred at the Takezaki Ground Combustion Test Site at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, took place at around 08:30 local time on November 26, 2024.

According to a report by Kyodo News, the combustion issue occurred just 49 seconds after ignition in the second-stage motor. The test, which was intended to last two minutes, aimed to assess the performance of the second-stage engine. However, the engine exploded and caught fire shortly after ignition, disrupting the test.

JAXA Project Manager Takayuki Imoto expressed regret over the failure, saying, “We are extremely sorry that we were unable to meet expectations. We can learn from failure. We will take advantage of this opportunity to develop a more reliable rocket.” Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or damage to nearby property. The exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, but JAXA stated that the combustion pressure was higher than expected. The agency is continuing its investigation into the incident.

The Epsilon S rocket’s second-stage engine, which measures 3.2 meters in length and 2.5 meters in diameter, contains approximately 18 tons of solid fuel—three tons more than the second-stage engine of the standard Epsilon rocket. This additional fuel was part of an effort to increase the rocket’s launch capabilities.

The Epsilon S rocket is an upgraded version of Japan’s Epsilon rocket, developed in collaboration between JAXA and IHI Aerospace. The enhanced second-stage engine is designed to improve the rocket’s performance, making it a critical component of Japan’s space exploration goals.

This is the second explosion to occur in the past 16 months during testing of the Epsilon S rocket. In July 2023, an engine of an Epsilon S rocket exploded approximately 50 seconds after ignition during a similar test. Despite these setbacks, JAXA remains committed to improving the reliability of the Epsilon S rocket and continuing its space exploration missions.

The agency has vowed to use the lessons learned from these tests to refine the rocket’s design and enhance its future launch capabilities, ensuring that Japan remains at the forefront of space exploration. JAXA’s ongoing investigation into the cause of the explosion will guide improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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