Space One - KAIROS small launch vehicle

[Alexander Tli]

 NET Summer 2023

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/wakayama/20230131/2040013760.html

[Asteroza]

Horiemon taking some swipes (see part 9 of the text)

https://ch.nicovideo.jp/horiemon/blomaga/ar2138190


KAIROS avionics were being done by Canon Electronics, but for "reasons", Space One pushed it out to a third party, since Space One has many older IHI refugees who are on cruise control to retirement so can't develop it themselves. The switch over to another avionics maker was pretty late in the game, and on top of that there were unrealistic deadlines (well for oldspace, for a real newspace startup it might have been possible), plus the third party supposedly is in the subcontractor ecosystem surrounding IHI. The situation is increasingly looking like an oldspace company in newspace clothing.

[Asteroza]

Orbitseals blog made a nice blogpost back in december putting together available data on Kairos in english and japanese

https://orbitseals.blogspot.com/2022/12/space-one-2-space-one-kairos-rocket.html#english


3 solid stages plus liquid post boost stage. The author speculates on whether it's an all carbon composite SRM case or not. There was a previous rumor that JAXA/METI had been putting some pressure on Space One to pursue an all composite case, so that might actually be real.

[LH2NHI]

(It's a very interesting story, but you have to consider that Horiemon is the founder of Space One's rival, IST.
IST needs to show that they are the "true" New Space.
Also, if the launch delay was caused by changes in onboard electronic components, recertification after the arrival of the components would take time.
In that case, it is unlikely that launch preparations will be decided as soon as the parts arrive.
I think it's easier to understand if you think of it as a shortage of general-purpose products that do not require such certification tests.)

Horiemon taking some swipes (see part 9 of the text)

https://ch.nicovideo.jp/horiemon/blomaga/ar2138190

KAIROS avionics were being done by Canon Electronics, but for "reasons", Space One pushed it out to a third party, since Space One has many older IHI refugees who are on cruise control to retirement so can't develop it themselves. The switch over to another avionics maker was pretty late in the game, and on top of that there were unrealistic deadlines (well for oldspace, for a real newspace startup it might have been possible), plus the third party supposedly is in the subcontractor ecosystem surrounding IHI. The situation is increasingly looking like an oldspace company in newspace clothing.

By the way, the website of Space One has been updated, and it seems that the launch CG and the diagram of the satellite loading part have been posted.
https://www.space-one.co.jp/vehicle/

Length:18m,Mass 23t
Diameter1.35m,PLF1.5m,3stage solid+Liquid PBS
CFRP motor case and all stage have TVC

SSO 500km 97deg,150kg
LEO 500km 33deg,250kg

However, the launch date is still unclear. It should have been announced before that it will indicate the time when it can be launched in April...