A rocket developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) exploded during a test on Friday, July 14, 2023. The incident occurred at a JAXA facility in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan. While no injuries were reported, the explosion represents a significant setback for the agency's space program.

Initial reports indicate the test began as expected, with white smoke emanating from the rocket's side. However, approximately one minute into the test, a large explosion erupted, sending flames and gray smoke billowing upwards. News footage captured the moment the roof of a nearby building was blown off by the force of the blast.

Image: Smoke billows following the explosion of an Epsilon S rocket engine during testing at the JAXA site in Noshiro, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan. (Credit: Kyodo News via AP)

The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation, and it remains unclear when testing for the Epsilon S rocket will resume. This failure is particularly disappointing for JAXA, as it hinders their plans to compete in the growing small satellite launch market. The agency had a demonstration launch of the Epsilon S planned for this fiscal year, but an earlier attempt in May also ended in failure. This incident follows another setback for JAXA in March, when the launch of their H3 rocket was unsuccessful.

Despite these recent challenges, it's important to note that an earlier version of the Epsilon rocket has a successful track record, having deployed multiple satellites into orbit. This provides some hope that JAXA can overcome these current hurdles and continue to advance its space exploration endeavors.