The lift-off took place at 11:01 a.m. in the mountainous Kii Peninsula in Kushimoto.
Space One initially said that the flight had been intentionally terminated.
Later, at a news conference, the company said the mid-flight termination sequence had been triggered automatically.
An investigation panel has been put in place to identify the cause of the explosion.
I didnt even imagine an outcome like this,saidMayor Katsumasa Tashima.
Residents of the town also expressed disappointment in the outcome.
I had high hopes for this, so Im disappointed.
I want to know what happened, one elderly resident was quoted saying.
The mayor of the town and its residents expressed disappointment after the launch
