Space One KAIROS
| Function | Launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Space One |
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Size | |
| Height | 18 m |
| Diameter | 1.35 m |
| Mass | 23 t |
| Stages | 4 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to 500 km LEO, 33° inclination | |
| Mass | 250 kg (550 lb) |
| Payload to 500 km SSO | |
| Mass | 150 kg (330 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Comparable | Minotaur I Pegasus Electron Ceres-1 |
| Launch history | |
| Status | In development |
| Launch sites | Space Port Kii |
| First flight | 9 March 2024 (planned) |
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The KAIROS rocket (カイロスロケット), or Kii-based Advanced & Instant Rocket System[1], is a Japanese solid-fuel rocket designed to launch small satellites of mass up to 250 kg to low Earth orbit and up to 150 kg to sun-synchronous orbit by the private spaceflight company Space One.[2] It consists of 3 solid fuel powered stages and a liquid propellant upper stage.
Namesake
The namesake of the KAIROS rocket is the Greek word Kairos, which means 'time' and is also an alternate spelling of the name of Caerus, the Greek deity of luck and opportunity.[3]
Manufacture
IHI Aerospace manufactures the KAIROS rocket at Tomioka Plant in the city of Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture. [4][5]
Launches
Launch site
Launches are planned from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto, Wakayama, Japan, a dedicated launch site built by Shimizu Corporation.[6][7] This spaceport is accessible from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) via Nanki–Shirahama Airport in approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, and from Kansai International Airport in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.[7]
First launch
The first launch was planned on 9 March 2024[8] but was postponed because a ship was spotted in the "maritime warning area" set up in waters near the launch pad.[9][10][11] A new launch date has been set for March 13.[10] If successful, the company will become the first Japanese private-sector firm to place a satellite into orbit.[10][11]
List of launches
| S.no | Flight
No. |
Date (UTC) | Payload(s) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | 13 March 2024 |  Rapid Launch Small Satellite |
Planned |
See also
- Interstellar Technologies, another private orbital launch services provider developing orbital launch vehicles in Japan
- Comparison of orbital launchers families
- Comparison of orbital launch systems
References
- ^ "スペースワンの「カイロスロケット初号機」、3/9にスペースポート紀伊より打上げ". SPACE Media (in Japanese). 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "Space One - Launch Vehicle". Space One. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ Thompson, Gary (2012). "Electronic Kairos". Cybercultures. At the Interface / Probing the Boundaries. Vol. 83. pp. 1–13. doi:10.1163/9789401208536_002. ISBN 9789401208536.
- ^ "IHI AEROSPACE Co., Ltd. Company Profile". IHI AEROSPACE Co., Ltd. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ 日経ビジネス電子版. "日本初の民間ロケット発射場、なぜ本州最南端に". 日経ビジネス電子版 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "【スペースポート紀伊】日本初！民間企業が建設 ロケット打ち上げ射場 起工式を開催 スペースワン". 建設通信新聞Digital. 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ a b "Space One - Spaceport Kii". Space One. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Announcement of the KAIROS Rocket's First Launch Schedule" (PDF). Space One. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ NEWS, KYODO. "Rocket launch by private Japanese firm Space One postponed". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ a b c "スペースワンの小型ロケット、13日に打ち上げ再設定". 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). 2024-03-11. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ a b "Japan private firm reschedules rocket launch for Wednesday | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News". NHK WORLD. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
External links
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