Japan Destroys Rocket Shortly After Launch
- Share via
TOKYO — Japan’s ambitions to become a world leader in aerospace technology were dealt a major setback Monday when engine trouble forced officials to blow up a rocket carrying a $95-million satellite just minutes after launch.
It was the second time this year that problems with the H-2 rocket, the key to Japan’s satellite program, failed to put the MTSAT satellite into orbit. Another H-2 rocket failed to get its payload into orbit in February.
The rocket, which carried a weather and aircraft monitoring satellite, lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center, 650 miles southwest of Tokyo.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
