A Japanese rocket carrying an astronomical observation satellite, designed to check X-rays in outer space, failed to reach its scheduled orbit after liftoff from Kagoshima Space Center last Thursday. Coming on the heels of the crash last November of a rocket that carried a multipurpose satellite, the latest rocket failure is a serious wakeup call for the nation's space program.
As in the previous accident, the first-stage segment of the rocket failed. But this rocket, known as M5, used solid fuel, instead of the liquid fuel that had been used in the H2 rocket launched in November; it therefore had a less complex structure than the H2. But that did not assure a successful launch. According to the Institute of Space and Astronomical Science, an affiliate of the Education Ministry, the M5 began to deviate from its scheduled course less than a minute after liftoff as a result of a drop in first-stage internal combustion pressure.
The latest foulup is a reminder of the critical role the first-stage rocket plays in a launch. The rocket is tracked by ground television, so its malfunction can be instantly detected. But once a problem has occurred there is no way to fix it.