A major fire broke out at Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center on Tuesday during a test of the Epsilon S rocket, lighting up the sky with flames and smoke. Dramatic footage from broadcaster NHK showed towering fireballs and white fumes engulfing the site in Kagoshima, a remote region of southern Japan. 🚨
The incident occurred during a combustion test that began at 8:30 a.m. local time. Witnesses stationed 600 meters away reported hearing a massive explosion roughly 30 seconds into the test, followed by debris flying toward the sea. Sankei Shimbun described orange flames bursting from the rocket engine before the blast.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, which has raised questions about safety protocols for solid-fuel rocket tests. 🛰️🔍
Japan’s space agency has not yet commented, but the Epsilon S—a successor to the earlier Epsilon rocket—is designed for cost-effective satellite launches. This incident adds to recent challenges in Japan’s space program, which aims to compete globally in the booming commercial space race. 🌌
