SpaceOne had its first satellite launch this week resulting in explosion a few seconds after take-off. Space one CO., Ltd was founded in 2018, through private investments of various Japanese enterprises, the main ones being the Bank of Japan and Canon electronics. The small private firm is a Tokyo-based aerospace company and was the first private Japanese firm to fail a satellite launch. This event may resonate with American counterpart SpaceX, who failed multiple times when they started out, and recently, with the example of SpaceX Starship. It shows how unpredictable and commonplace failure in this industry can be.
Failure?
The reason for the failure of Space One’s first launch was due to the systems integrated in the rocket detecting data which caused it to self-destruct. The event didn’t cause any injuries or fatalities and Space One say that they are committed to safety. One detail portraying that is their launch site. Space Port Kii launch site is in the South of Japan, next to the mountains and the Pacific Ocean. And their rockets fly towards space but with a trajectory going over the Pacific Ocean, highlighting their awareness for safety and forward-thinking strategies. Rocket failures are common but critical to perfecting the “product” just like any other good, yet this “product” launch tends to burn through far more cash with the cheapest rocket right now being SpaceX’s Falcon 9 costing a lovely $62Mn
Importance of quick responses
The test flight itself was to prove Japan’s capabilities of "quick response" satellite launches, for the Japanese government. Though this may seem ambitious for a private firm like Space One, there may be something bubbling beneath the cauldron. As seen over the past few months, global tensions are rising. Due to these developed nations are constantly in a state of readiness and improving detection and readiness capabilities. Japan (an ardent US ally) has US adversaries within 1000km of its airspace (China and North Korea), 2000km if you include Russia. No wonder the US has over 53,700 troops in Japan, and as Indo-Pacific tensions flare the Japanese government is scaling up in terms of space and cyber security, therefore are launching satellites to meet quick response times. 60% of global maritime trade passes through the South China sea, so if tensions heighten even further then the economic effects would be seen worldwide like the crisis in the Red Sea.
Japan’s Space sector:
Last month Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched a next generation H3 rocket, so could the accident on Wednesday could be a hiccup or Japan’s stepping stone for space security. The H3 rocket is a liquid-propellant rocket designed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency. These rockets are designed to help with space projects launched by India and America
SpaceX leading the Space race
As we were formatting this SpaceX Starship completed its test flight and reached orbit, the rocket is believed to be destroyed on re-entry. SpaceX has extended its lead in the space race and has 6 more flights scheduled this year.
Companies to look out for
Canon electronics (+16.2% YTD) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (+43.7% YTD) Lockheed Martin (-4.9% YTD)
Space One (Private) SpaceX (Private) Blue Origin (Private)