Japan Fails Bid To Launch Satellite-Carrying Mini-Rocket Shortly After Liftoff [VIDEO]

JAXA, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, which develops the indigenous space technology and launches rockets in the outer space for space exploration and communications. On January 15, 2017, JAXA launched a miniature Earth Observation satellite, No. 4 of the S5-20 satellite series at 8:33 AM from Uchinoura Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture.

This miniature rocket is the smallest rocket developed to launch satellites, reports Japanese Times. Unfortunately, barely 20 seconds after liftoff the satellite communications were severed. The Space Agency immediately aborted the ignition of the rocket's second stage within 3 minutes after the launch, sending this tiny satellite diving into the sea.

"It's very regrettable. We'd like to determine the cause" of the failure, said Hiroto Habu, an associate professor at JAXA, said later in the day. And the agency clarified it has no future plans to relaunch such a tiny satellite back into space.

Shinya Matsuura, the famous Science & Technology writer said, "The cause of the failure is not known at all yet. All we can do is just analyze the data we got until communications were disrupted". He further added, "I hope they won't be discouraged and will try another launch, because demand for launches of minisatellites is growing worldwide."

S5-20 is a 3 stage rocket and is only one-fifth of the size of the Japanese mainstay H-IIA rocket. The miniature rocket is supposed to position a payload of 4kg at an earth's orbit at approximately 2000 km distance. Matsuura expressed that given the successful advancement of China's space program, Japan should follow suit and invest heavily in its space program.

The miniature satellite is purported to demonstrate Asia's technical edge in launching a compact and cost-effective satellite. Through a successful launch, JAXA planned to woo more private companies with commercial interests to sponsor for the space program in the future, as per Digital Trends.

Designed and built by the University of Tokyo, the satellites primary aim is to send high-quality images. The successful launch would have immensely benefitted Canon Electronics and consumer electronic devices such as mobiles, GPS etc.

JAXA's Public Relations Officer, Takayuki Tomobe said that many private companies have joined hands for this project and this failure is only a small impediment. But, he expressed confidence that once this micro-satellite launch technology is proven, it opens the window for commercial launches with cheaper costs and reduced project timelines.