Japan space agency conducts Epsilon rocket engine test after failures

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on Thursday conducted a ground test of the Epsilon S small rocket's engine, following two consecutive failures in similar tests in recent years.The test of the 27-meter-long, solid-fuel rocket was completed as planned, marking a step toward launching an Epsilon S rocket demonstrator by the end of March.Japan's last successful launch of an Epsilon-series rocket was in 2021.After explosions during combustion tests in 2023 and 2024, the test of the Epsilon S rocket's second-stage engine at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture began at 9 a.…READ FULL ARTICLE