Japanese Epsilon S launch vehicle test ends in massive explosion, again

Today, November 26, during testing of the Epsilon S solid-propellant launch vehicle in Japan, an explosion occurred, after which a fire occurred, local TV channel NHK reported. This is not the first incident that occurred during the development of this rocket.

Image source: nhk.or.jp

The test of the second stage engine of the Epsilon S rocket, which took place at the Tanegashima Space Center, was supposed to last 120 seconds. But already at the 49th second of burning out the fuel, an explosion occurred, followed by a fire. The recording of the incident provided by the TV channel shows thick white smoke. To date, the fire has been extinguished and there are no casualties. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is now investigating the cause of the incident.

During tests of the same Epsilon S rocket in 2023, an explosion also occurred – they took place at the Noshiro test site in Akita Prefecture in northern Japan. Epsilon S is a three-stage lightweight launch vehicle and an improved version of the Epsilon rocket. Its development has been carried out by JAXA together with the aircraft manufacturing corporation IHI since 2007. The height of Epsilon S is 27 m, diameter – 2.5 m, load capacity – from 590 to 700 kg. The first launch of the rocket was scheduled for 2024, but the chances of this are extremely low.