The No. 2 unit of the Kairos small rocket launched in December 2024, in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan. Photo: Jiji Press
The Tokyo-based space development startup canceled the initially scheduled rocket launch on Wednesday, citing a forecast for unfavorable weather conditions.
According to Space One, the Kairos No. 3 unit is set to lift off from the company's Spaceport Kii launch site in the town of Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, between around 11:00 am and 11:20 am on Sunday.
The rocket will carry five satellites, including one developed by the Taiwan Space Agency.
This is the company's third rocket launch attempt, following the failures of the Kairos No. 1 unit in March 2024 and the No. 2 unit in December that year.
If the planned launch succeeds, it will mark the first successful launch of a rocket developed entirely by a private company in Japan.
