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 26 March 2024, only one launch attempt has been made on the site on 13 March, which ended up being a failure.[1][2]

Spaceport Kii
Aerial photo of Spaceport Kii under construction (5 October 5 2019).
Map
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 launches1
Launch pad(s)1
Launch history
StatusActive
Launches1
First launch13 March 2024[1]
Associated
rockets
KAIROS

Location and construction

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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),[3] and IHI Corporation.[4] Ground broke on 19 November 2019.[3]

Launches

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The first launch attempt of the KAIROS rocket was scheduled on 8 March 2024,[5] however it was delayed to the 13th due to a ship in too close of proximity.[6] It launched on the 13th, but disintegrated just seconds later.[1]

Space One has stated that it plans to have around 20 launches of KAIROS a year.[3][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Japan's Space One Kairos rocket explodes on inaugural flight". NBC News. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b Foust, Jeff (13 March 2024). "First Kairos rocket explodes seconds after liftoff". SpaceNews. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Ltd, SPACE ONE Co. "SPACE ONE". SPACE ONE (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Japanese private-sector rocket to be launched Saturday | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News". NHK WORLD. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Japan Startup's Rocket Launch Halted Due to Ship in Hazard Area". Bloomberg.com. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
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