Japan aborts launch of new rocket carrying missile sensor

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's space agency aborted the inaugural launch of its next-generation H3 rocket on Friday after the auxiliary booster engines failed to ignite, officials said.

The main engine of the rocket, which is carrying an observation satellite and an experimental sensor to detect missile launches, had already ignited when the launch was halted, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said.

“I know many people were waiting for and looking forward to this day. I'm so sorry. We also feel extremely regretful and frustrated,” JAXA project manager Masashi Okada said at a news conference as he wiped away tears.

Okada described it as an aborted launch — not a failure — because it was suspended as a result of safety features that functioned properly.