Rocket engine explodes in Japan

A rocket engine exploded during a test in Japan on Friday, the latest in a series of failures that have deflated the country’s space ambitions. Footage showed flames shooting out the side of the test facility in Noshiro city in Akita Prefecture, before the small building was engulfed in flames and the roof blew off. No injuries were reported. The explosion of the Epsilon S took place about a minute into the test of the second stage engine at a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) testing site, said officials. #rocket #japan #explosion Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/customer/subscribe/digitalsub/3for1/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_pvid_conversion-subscription_editorial-iniative_03-22_EGW-13_organic_youtube Get the latest headlines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/ Telegraph.co.uk and YouTube.com/TelegraphTV are websites of The Telegraph, the UK's best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.