Japan's space agency halts Epsilon S rocket engine test after fire

Japan's space agency halts Epsilon S rocket engine test after fire

Japan's space agency (JAXA) halted an engine combustion test of its Epsilon S rocket after a fire broke out at the test site on Tuesday, November 26.

An explosion could be heard and a blaze could be seen shortly after the ground combustion test started at the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan, according to video from public broadcaster NHK. JAXA said the engine test encountered a "combustion abnormality" 49 seconds after the ignition. It said there was no indication of injury or damage to the outside facility.

The space agency partnered with the aerospace unit of heavy machinery maker IHI to develop Epsilon S, the next generation in the Epsilon solid-fuel small rocket series. Tuesday's incident came 16 months after another failed engine test derailed Japan's small rocket development.

Shares in IHI were down as much as 6% in Tuesday's Tokyo trading. An IHI Aerospace spokesperson said the company is investigating the cause.

NHK/REUTERS

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