Video: Japanese Space One rocket launch ends in explosion

The startup Space One hoped to become the first private company in Japan to launch a satellite into orbit. However, its attempt ended in a fiery explosion just a few seconds after takeoff.

The Kairos rocket was launched from the Kii Space Center in Wakayama Prefecture, south of Osaka, owned by the company. Space One's director, Mamoru Endo, told reporters at a conference that the rocket's automated system detected an anomaly five seconds after liftoff and initiated the self-destruct function. The company has not yet identified the anomaly and will investigate the incident to find answers.

Kairos carried a payload for the Satellite Intelligence Center, which collects and analyzes information from space images for the Japanese government. This satellite was supposed to be an alternative to the existing Japanese satellite that monitors military facilities in North Korea and missile launches in that country, as reported by Engadget.

With the support of Canon and aerospace manufacturer IHI, Space One hopes to eventually offer satellite launch services using small rockets, which, according to the company, "offer greater planning flexibility than larger rockets." The company also aims to provide "the world's shortest time from contract signing to launch, as well as the world's most frequent launch schedule," while minimizing the costs of putting satellites into orbit.