Launch site Launches are planned from
Spaceport Kii in
Kushimoto, Wakayama, Japan, a dedicated launch site built by
Shimizu Corporation. This spaceport is accessible from
Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) via
Nanki–Shirahama Airport in approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, and from
Kansai International Airport in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. but was postponed because a ship was spotted in the "maritime warning area" set up in waters near the launch pad. The launch eventually took place on 13 March 2024, but the vehicle exploded five seconds after liftoff. The remains of the rocket and payload fell close to the launch pad, but no substantial damage was found. Space One announced several hours later that the
autonomous flight termination system could have activated and ended the mission. On 25 August 2024, the company's director confirmed that a destruct command was issued on the rocket. The AFTS detected a speed and level of thrust on the first stage that was lower than was modeled. Because this was the first rocket launch in Japan that used a flight safety system capable of intervening in a launch without human involvement, the destruct criteria were set to be particularly conservative. These satellites include payloads developed by
Taiwan Space Agency, Space Cubics LLC, Terra Space Inc. and
Lagrapo, as well as an additional satellite owned by an unnamed customer. The rocket began tumbling during 1st stage burn. The flight was terminated some time after.
Third flight The third flight of KAIROS took place on March 4, 2026, lifting off from Spaceport Kii at 9:10pm but was also unsuccessful with flight termination measures being implemented at around 70 seconds after liftoff. With this third failure the commercial viability of Space One was thrown into doubt as Japan seeks to increase its domestic launch industry. == List of launches ==