A Japanese space rocket self-destructs after a failed launch

Oct. 12 (EUROPA PRESS) –

A space rocket whose launch has been carried out by the Japanese space agency and which failed on Tuesday morning has self-destructed seven minutes after takeoff.

The Epsilon-6 rocket would have apparently experienced a problem that prevented it from flying normally, as detailed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in statements collected by the Japanese agency Kyodo.

At around 9:57 a.m. (local time), after the rocket took off seven minutes earlier from the Uchinoura Space Center in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima, the self-destruct signal was released after the agency determined that the rocket could not fly with security.

There have been no reports of injuries or property damage due to the self-destruction, a Science Ministry official told the agency.

The rocket, 26 meters long, carried eight satellites developed by entities such as a private company and universities.

This is the first self-destruct order issued by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency since 2003.