Space One

This article is about the Japanese space launch rocket company. For "SpaceOne", the Canadian lifstyle brand, see Nicholas Graham.
SPACE ONE CO., LTD.
Native name
スペースワン株式会社
Company typePrivate KK
IndustrySpace industry
PredecessorNew Generation Small Rocket Development Planning Co., Ltd.
Founded19 July 2017 (2017-07-19) (de jure)
2 July 2018 (2018-07-02) (de facto)
HeadquartersLandmark Shibakoen 6F, 1-2-6 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
105-0011 Japan
Number of locations
Area served
Japan
Key people
Masakazu Toyoda (President)
ProductsLaunch vehicles
ServicesCommercial space transportation services
Owner
Websitewww.space-one.co.jp

SPACE ONE CO., LTD. (Japanese: スペースワン株式会社, Hepburn: Supēsuwan Kabushikigaisha; Corporate Number: 8010401132607[1]), or Space One (スペースワン), is a Japanese aerospace manufacturer, orbital launch service provider, and spaceport operator. It is a private spaceflight company developing and operating the KAIROS orbital launch vehicle for small satellite launches; KAIROS flew its unsuccessful maiden flight in March 2024.[2] The company was founded by investments from Canon Electronics (a listed subsidiary of Canon), IHI Aerospace (a subsidiary of IHI Corporation), Shimizu Corporation and the Development Bank of Japan in July 2018.[3]

Rockets

Main article: KAIROS (rocket)

The namesake of the KAIROS rocket, or Kii-based Advanced & Instant Rocket System,[4] is the Greek word Kairos, which means 'time' and is also an alternate spelling of the name of Caerus, the Greek deity of luck and opportunity.[5]

Launch site

Shimizu Corporation constructed Space One's own launch site for KAIROS, named Spaceport Kii, as Japan's first-ever private sector spaceport, in Kushimoto, Wakayama, Japan between 2019 and 2021. The launch site provides access to various orbit inclinations.[6]

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.[6]

Accidents and incidents

Inaugural flight

On March 13, 2024, the Kairos rocket exploded moments into its maiden voyage, aiming to become the first Japanese private company to deploy a satellite into orbit. The 59-foot solid-fueled rocket disintegrated shortly after liftoff from the Kii peninsula in western Japan, leaving behind debris and a cloud of smoke; there were no immediate reports of injuries.[7]

Second flight

The second flight took place on 18 December 2024, which was canceled because of a failed rocket shortly after launch.[8][9] The mission was planned to carry five satellites, including four CubeSats and one microsatellite.[10] 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.[11] The rocket began tumbling during 1st stage burn. The flight was terminated some time after.[12]

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.[13] With this third failure the commercial viability of Space One was thrown into doubt as Japan seeks to increase its domestic launch industry.[14][15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "（法人名）の情報｜国税庁法人番号公表サイト". National Tax Agency Corporate Number Publication Site. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  2. ^ "Announcement of the KAIROS Rocket's First Launch Schedule" (PDF). Space One. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Space One - Company Profile". Space One. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  4. ^ "スペースワンの「カイロスロケット初号機」、3/9にスペースポート紀伊より打上げ". SPACE Media (in Japanese). 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  5. ^ Thompson, Gary (2012). "Electronic Kairos". Cybercultures. At the Interface / Probing the Boundaries. Vol. 83. pp. 1–13. doi:10.1163/9789401208536_002. ISBN 9789401208536.
  6. ^ a b "Space One - Spaceport Kii". Space One. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Japan's Space One Kairos rocket explodes on inaugural flight". NBC News. 2024-03-13. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  8. ^ "Japan's Space One says Kairos rocket flight terminated after liftoff". Reuters. 2024-12-18. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  9. ^ "SPACE ONE". SPACE ONE (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  10. ^ "Press Release: Upcoming Launch: KAIROS 2nd Flight". space-one.co.jp. 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  11. ^ "Press Release: SPACE ONE signs Launch Services Agreement with multiple customers for KAIROS 2nd Flight". space-one.co.jp. 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  12. ^ Komiya, Kantaro (December 17, 2024). "Japan's Space One Kairos rocket fails minutes after liftoff".
  13. ^ Wall, Mike. "Japan's private Space One Kairos rocket explodes after launch failure during 3rd test flight". Space.com. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  14. ^ Foust, Jeff. "Third Kairos launch fails". SpaceNews. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  15. ^ Komiya, Kantaro. "Space One's third rocket failure leaves Japan without commercial launch capability". Reuters. Retrieved 14 March 2026.


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