TOKYO: The Japanese space agency said a rocket engine exploded during a test in northeastern Japan on Friday, reported Xinhua.
According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), no one was injured in the explosion of the small Epsilon S rocket engine at the Noshiro Testing Centre in Akita Prefecture.
The explosion took place about one minute after the test began, according to JAXA.
Television footage showed flames shooting out the side of a testing facility before the whole building was engulfed in flames.
Japan’s space programme has suffered a number of setbacks recently, including the launch failure of its new flagship H3 rocket in March. – BERNAMA-XINHUA
