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Spaceport Kii

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Commercial spaceport in Japan
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Spaceport Kii
Aerial photo of Spaceport Kii under construction (5 October 5 2019).
LocationKushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Coordinates33°32′39″N 135°53′22″E / 33.5443°N 135.8895°E / 33.5443; 135.8895
Time zoneUTC+9 (JST)
OperatorSpace One
Total launches2
Launch pad(s)1
Launch history
StatusActive
Launches2
First launch13 March 2024
Last launch18 December 2024
Associated
rockets
KAIROS

Spaceport Kii (Japanese: スペースポート紀伊, sometimes stylized as Space Port Kii) is a commercial spaceport located in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture in Japan. Japan's first private spaceport, it is operated by Space One, who are using it to launch their solid-fuel rocket KAIROS. As of 17 December 2024, two launch attempts have been made on the site, on 13 March and 17 December respectively, which both ended up being a failure.

Location and construction

Spaceport Kii is located near the southernmost tip of Honshu and is only a two-minute (1.9 kilometer) drive from Kii-Uragami Station in Nachikatsuura.

The launch site was funded by several Japanese corporations, including Canon Inc., Shimizu Corporation (who also constructed the site), and IHI Corporation. Ground broke on 19 November 2019.

Launches

The first launch attempt of the KAIROS rocket was scheduled on 8 March 2024, however it was delayed to the 13th due to a ship in too close of proximity. It launched on the 13th, but disintegrated just seconds later.

The second launch of KAIROS was initially scheduled for 14 December 24, but was ultimately scrubbed twice to 18 Dec due to bad weather. The 2nd launch had a successful liftoff, but ultimately suffered a loss of control nearing the end of the first-stage burn and was terminated.

Space One has stated that it plans to have around 20 launches of KAIROS a year.

References

  1. ^ "Japan's Space One Kairos rocket explodes on inaugural flight". NBC News. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  2. ^ Foust, Jeff (13 March 2024). "First Kairos rocket explodes seconds after liftoff". SpaceNews. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  3. Yamaguchi, Mari (17 December 2024). "Japanese space startup aborts 2nd satellite launch attempt minutes after liftoff". AP News. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  4. ^ Ltd, SPACE ONE Co. "SPACE ONE". SPACE ONE (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  5. "Site planned for nuclear plant to host launch pad for small rockets | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  6. "Japanese private-sector rocket to be launched Saturday | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News". NHK WORLD. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  7. "Japan Startup's Rocket Launch Halted Due to Ship in Hazard Area". Bloomberg.com. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.

External links

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