Japanese "Epsilon S" rocket engine test explosion investigation results announced: shell overheating caused

CTOnews.com, August 1, according to a number of Japanese media reports on July 14, the engine of Japan's new rocket "Epsilon S" exploded during a combustion test on the same day.

Half a month later, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) released the investigation on the ground combustion test of the Epsilon S rocket stage 2 engine on July 31, which preliminarily explained the cause of the explosion.

CTOnews.com found from the investigation results officially disclosed by JAXA that the current analysis believes that due to some reason, excessive thermal load is applied to the engine shell, and the possibility of structural components exceeding the allowable temperature for maintaining strength is very high. JAXA said it would continue to conduct a detailed investigation.

In addition, the overheating of the engine shell may be due to abnormal combustion of the internal propellant or poor thermal insulation between the shell and the propellant. JAXA will further investigate whether there are problems in the design, manufacture and assembly of propellants and engine housings in the future.

As previously reported by CTOnews.com, Epsilon is one of Japan's main rockets, a solid-fuel rocket that was first launched in 2013. The rocket has been launched six times, and the last failed to self-destruct on October 12, 2022.

The "Epsilon S" under development is an improved version of the rocket "Epsilon". It is planned to launch for the first time next year, with a total length of about 27 meters, and its launch capacity has been enhanced. The satellite can be launched at an altitude of about 700 kilometers, which is about 200 kilometers higher than that of "Epsilon." it is not clear whether the explosion will affect the first flight.