In a bid to become Japan's first private company to put a satellite into the orbit, Space One launched a small rocket only for it to explode, merely seconds after its lift-off, Independent reported Wednesday.
The 18-metre, four-stage-solid rocket named Kairos was carrying experimental government satellite that could temporarily replace intelligence satellites if technical glitches ever occurred.
The rocket launched by Japanese private company Space One blew up just seconds after lift-off from western Japan's mountainous Kii peninsula, turning into fire and smoke.
The cause of the explosion is still unclear and investigations are underway.
The launch was initially scheduled for Saturday but due to a last minute miscommunication it was postponed to Wednesday.
In the videos that have gone viral on the internet, the rocket can be seen launched, and exploding seconds later.
Space One was founded in 2018 by a consortium of Japanese companies including Canon Electronics, construction firm Shimizu and the state backed-Development Bank of Japan. Its target is to complete 20 liftoffs by 2030.
Due to COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine war, the company had to postpone its launch five times.
Its goal is to offer "space parcel delivery" service.