Privately developed rocket fails to reach space

July 31, 2017

TAIKI, HOKKAIDO- A small observation rocket launched by Japanese startup Interstellar Technologies Inc. on Sunday failed to reach space. The first Momo rocket, developed by the company, based in the town of Taiki in the northernmost Japan prefecture of Hokkaido , was launched from a site in the town. The company aimed to bring the rocket to an altitude of 100 kilometers or higher in outer space. But its engine was stopped as communication with the rocket was disrupted about 66 seconds after the liftoff, company officials said. The rocket is believed to have risen to an altitude of 20 kilometers, the officials said, adding that it did not reach space. The rocket was about 10 meters in height and some 50 centimeters in diameter, and weighed about one ton. The single-stage rocket used ethanol as liquid fuel. The rocket had been expected to reach a maximum altitude of 100 kilometers about four minutes after the launch and fall into the sea about six minutes and 40 seconds following the liftoff. If the flight had been successful, that would have been the first such milestone by a rocket developed solely by a Japanese private company. According to the officials, the first Momo rocket was slated to continue engine combustion for 120 seconds after the launch. But its engine was stopped about 66 seconds after the liftoff to prevent the rocket from falling into an unexpected area, after information on its positioning, location and speeds became unavailable. The rocket is believed to have fallen into the sea some 6.5 kilometers from the launch site, the officials said. Interstellar Technologies tried to recover the rocket, but failed to find it. The company will work to determine the cause of the failed launch, with the aim of sending its next rocket successfully into space. Jiji Press