NOSHIRO, Akita -- An explosion occurred Friday morning during a ground combustion experiment involving the second-stage engine of Japan's new Epsilon S solid-fuel rocket.
Staff were evacuated from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Noshiro Rocket Testing Center in Noshiro, Akita Prefecture, following the incident, which occurred at around 9 a.m. No injuries were reported.
JAXA plans to investigate the cause of the accident, which could affect the launch of the first Epsilon S rocket scheduled for fiscal 2024.
