Japan’s Epsilon rocket ordered to self-destruct after failed launch

  • Japan’s space agency said a problem had been discovered that meant the solid-fuel rocket could not safely fly
  • The rocket was taking several satellites into orbit on its sixth space mission

The Epsilon rocket takes off from the Uchinoura Space Centre in southern Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture on Wednesday. Photo: Kyodo
Japan’s space agency said it sent a self-destruct order to its Epsilon rocket after a failed launch on Wednesday because of a problem that meant the craft could not safely fly.

The unstaffed rocket, designed to launch in three stages, was taking several satellites into orbit on its sixth space mission.

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