Startup’s rocket ready for second bid

Blast off: Hitomi Endo with the MOMO 2 rocket in Taiki, Hokkaido.

BLASTING off from a launchpad at a test site in Taiki, Hokkaido, the about 10-meter-long, 1.15-tonne MOMO 2 aims to become the nation's first rocket developed entirely by a private company to reach outer space. The fuselage has been significantly improved from the first MOMO rocket, which malfunctioned soon after liftoff on July 30, 2017.

The rocket's engine had a flawless ignition during the first launch, but communication was lost soon after. The engine was shut down to make the rocket fall in the sea. The failure was caused by an insufficiently strong fuselage that resulted in the rocket rotating more than anticipated.