Epsilon Rocket

Japan's Epsilon rocket was sent a self-destruct order on Wednesday, following a failure to launch, the Japanese space agency said. Designed to launch in three stages, the unmanned rocket was set to take several satellites into orbit on its sixth space mission. Epsilon's failure to launch was Japan's first unsuccessful rocket launch since 2003.

The solid-fuel Epsilon rocket, which has been in service since 2013, was taking several satellites into orbit on its sixth space mission.

Japan's Epsilon rocket was sent a self-destruct order on Wednesday, following a failure to launch, the Japanese space agency said. Designed to launch in three stages, the unmanned rocket was set to take several satellites into orbit on its sixth space mission. Epsilon's failure to launch was Japan's first unsuccessful rocket launch since 2003.

The solid-fuel Epsilon rocket, which has been in service since 2013, was taking several satellites into orbit on its sixth space mission.