A Japanese-built rocket that was intended to send a satellite into orbit burst seconds after it was launched.
Live footage indicated that the solid-fuelled rocket burst into flames a short while later, sending smoke billowing into the isolated mountainous terrain.
The satellite was supposed to enter orbit roughly 51 minutes after takeoff at a time known as Kairos, which is derived from the ancient Greek phrase meaning “the right moment.”
That came after Japan became the sixth nation to accomplish a “soft landing” on the lunar surface with the successful landing of an unmanned probe, on its side