Japan’s H3 rocket, billed as a possible competitor to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, self-destructed after liftoff when its second-stage engine apparently failed. It is the second H3 failure for Japan’s space agency, Jaxa, after the rocket failed to leave the launchpad in a previous attempt in February. Footage taken from Jaxa’s livestream shows Tuesday’s launch from the Tanegashima space centre in south-western Japan. The launch initially appeared to be a success, with the rocket lifting off and the first-stage separation appearing to go as planned. Moments later, the livestream was paused before operators announced they had ordered the rocket to self-destruct
