Japan rocket engine explodes during test, 2nd time in 16 months

An engine being developed for use in the Epsilon S small rocket exploded Tuesday during a combustion test at a facility in southwestern Japan, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said, the second such incident in 16 months.The explosion occurred 49 seconds after ignition at 8:30 a.m. at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture. There were no injuries or damage to buildings outside the center.The combustion pressure was higher than expected, JAXA said, adding it will continue to investigate the cause. The ground test for the second-stage engine was scheduled to last about 2 mi…READ FULL ARTICLE