Published: 15:55, March 25, 2026
Japan's reusable rocket experimental vehicle aborts first flight test
By Xinhua
This handout photo taken on Nov 26, 2024 and received from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on Nov 27, 2024 shows flames and white fumes rising into the air after an engine for the solid-fuel Epsilon S rocket exploded shortly after a combustion test, at the air Tanegashima Space Center in a remote area of Kagoshima in southern Japan. (PHOTO / AFP)

TOKYO - The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) aborted the scheduled first flight test of its small reusable rocket experimental vehicle RV-X on Wednesday due to an unexpected issue that arose before launch, local media reported.

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According to Kyodo News, the RV-X had completed fueling early Wednesday at the Noshiro Rocket Testing Center in Akita Prefecture. However, JAXA later discovered that a device connecting the rocket body to external equipment had "issues requiring confirmation," and therefore decided to cancel the day's flight test.

The RV-X is about 7.3 meters long with a diameter of around 1.8 meters. Its first flight test had originally been scheduled for March 7 but was postponed several times due to weather conditions. A new test date has not yet been determined.