Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

President Masakazu Toyoda of Space One Co. speaks at a press conference in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026, after the Japanese startup aborted the flight of its Kairos No. 3 rocket following previous two failed attempts. The company was hoping to be the first Japanese private entity to put a satellite into orbit.

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

The Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. soars after its liftoff from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

The Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. soars after its liftoff from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

The Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. soars after its liftoff from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. soaring after its liftoff from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

The Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. soars after its liftoff from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.