An engine being designed for Japan’s Epsilon S space rocket exploded during testing, in the latest mishap for the nation’s space program.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has been making efforts to launch advanced rockets, to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
JAXA had previously aborted the inaugural launch of its Mitsubishi-built, next-generation H3 liquid fuel rocket in March via a self-destruct command after the second-stage engine failed to ignite.
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The engine was being tested at a facility in Noshiro, Akita Prefecture on July 14, when it exploded around 9 a.m. Tokyo time, about 57 seconds into the trial, said the JAXA….