The Japanese rocket "Epsilon S" engine exploded in a test run, which officials said was due to abnormal combustion caused by heating and melting of parts.

CTOnews.com, December 12 (Xinhua)-- the engine of Japan's new solid fuel rocket "Epsilon S" exploded during a combustion test on July 14 this year. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the cause of the accident today.

JAXA explained that the reason for the explosion of the "Epsilon S" rocket second-stage engine in the combustion test was that the components of the ignition device were melted by heat, resulting in an abnormal combustion state in the pressure vessel.

Officials also said that the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will take measures to improve the heat resistance of the components in the future and conduct combustion tests again.

CTOnews.com inquiry public information learned that "Epsilon S" is an improved version of the small solid fuel rocket "Epsilon", with a total length of about 27 meters, with a solar synchronous orbit launch capacity of more than 600kg, low-earth orbit launch capacity of more than 1.4tons, and a satellite launch altitude of about 700km, about 200km higher than "Epsilon".