Explosion During Epsilon S Engine Test

On Tuesday morning, an explosion occurred during a ground combustion test involving the second-stage engine of Japan's new Epsilon S solid-fuel rocket. The incident took place at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.

According to JAXA, the explosion was caused by abnormalities during the test. No injuries were reported, and the agency is currently investigating the details of the incident. This marks the second Epsilon combustion test accident in 2023, following a similar incident in July.

The combustion test, scheduled to last for about two minutes, was intended to verify the performance of the second-stage engine. However, the engine exploded and caught fire immediately after the test began.

The 27-meter-long Epsilon S is an improved version of the Epsilon domestic flagship rocket, jointly developed by JAXA and IHI Aerospace Co. The goal was to increase launch capacity by enlarging the second-stage engine and other components.

In July 2023, a similar explosion occurred during a combustion experiment at the Noshiro Rocket Testing Center in Akita Prefecture. JAXA's investigation concluded that heat had melted part of the ignition device. For the latest test, the agency covered the ignition device with heat-insulating material.

The Epsilon S was originally scheduled for launch in 2024. However, Tuesday's accident has forced JAXA to postpone the launch indefinitely.