The Japanese Space Exploration Agency (JAXA) was forced to self-destruct its rocket on Tuesday after yet another technical failure to launch what was designed to be a cheaper rival to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets.
The H3 rocket had some parts made by a 3D printer and was set to carry the ALOS-3 surveillance system that could have monitored North Korean missile launches.
A space policy professor from Osaka University told Reuters the failure would have “a serious impact on Japan’s future space policy, space business, and technological competitiveness.”
