Rocket Defects Brought About Aerial Explosion 11 Min After Launching

The additional blast-off of a Japanese spy satellite, which had been conducted to monitor the nuclear development activities in North Korea continuously, failed due to malfunctions in the rocket.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) unveiled that it had blasted off its H2A rocket at the aerospace center in Taneka island, Kakoshima, at 1:33 p.m. on November 29, but because it was facing failure after discovering a technological defect, it was exploded.

According to JAXA, among the two rocket propulsion shafts, one had failed to break off from the main body of the rocket during the second flight phase. Therefore, the main body and spy satellite exploded, only 11 minutes after launch.

Japan is planning to set up a surveillance system that can monitor the entire Korean peninsula, and had launched an additional spy satellite. They launched the first spy satellite in March 2003. This failure may set them back on their original schedule.

The second spy satellite was originally scheduled to be launched on September 10, but it was put off three times due to the defects on the appliances loaded onto the satellite.

According to this failure, the Japanese prime minister, Koizumi Junichiro said, “This is a most unfortunate incident. We will swiftly and meticulously examine the reasons for the failure and discuss appropriate countermeasures.”

Since the North Korea’s launch of the Daepodong ballistic missile in 1998, Japan has moved forward with its own rocket launching plan. In March, Japan successfully launched two spy satellites equipped with optical sensors and synthesized radar systems.

The Japanese dailies pointed out this failure and compared it with China’s successful launch of a manned rocket into the space, saying, “Japan’s prestige in aerospace technologies has disappeared.” Japan’s entire defense project, which had been created by making use of the spy satellite system, will not avoid being revised, they added. Additionally, Tokyo Shimbun pointed out that this failure would lower its ability to monitor North Korea’s military movements so that the diplomatic negotiations between North Korea will be greatly affected.

“Japan’s aerospace development plan has been damaged again. Their strategy to secure their own intelligence gathering system will not avoid jeopardy,” reported Chinese Shinwha News.

parkwj@donga.com