The Epsilon S rocket was supposed to launch early next year, but the recent blast will likely delay its debut by several months.

Japan's space agency, JAXA, faced a setback when the Epsilon S rocket engine test exploded, likely delaying its debut launch beyond March. The explosion occurred 49 seconds after ignition during a test at the Tanegashima Space Center,

Japan's space agency aborted an engine test for the Epsilon S rocket on Tuesday after it exploded and caught fire, a repeated failure that will likely push the rocket's debut launch beyond the March-end target and delay the national space programme.