Japan¡¯s space agency said its latest attempt at launching the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into orbit using its eighth H3 rocket on Monday morning ended without success due to an engine failure following its launch.
While the H3 was able to lift off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 10:51 a.m., the second-stage rocket engine did not start properly and stopped burning earlier than scheduled, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said.
The agency has lost all communications with the rocket, JAXA officials said, adding that they are trying to confirm whether the satellite has been lost.
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