First failure in 19 years - Japan launched an unmanned Epsilon-6 rocket, but destroyed it 7 minutes after launch

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) failed to launch a rocket Epsilon, which was supposed to orbit several satellites.

Here's What We Know

JAXA wanted to send eight small and one large satellite into orbit using an unmanned Epsilon-6 rocket. About seven minutes after launch, the agency destroyed the rocket after being informed that it could not continue on a safe flight because it deviated from its intended trajectory.

The launch took place at the Uchinoura Space Center in Kagashima Prefecture. JAXA launched a broadcast of the launch, but it was interrupted due to problems. There were no reports of casualties on the ground or property damage as a result of the rocket's self-destruction. According to JAXA, the wreckage of Epsilon-6 fell into the sea.

The Epsilon series includes six rockets that use solid propellants. The previous five launches were successful. The Epsilon-6 launch was the first failed launch in Japan since 2003, when there was a failure in the H2A rocket.

Source: Kyodo News