H-IIB No.8: Fire on the launch pad

There was a fire on the launch pad today during the final preparation for launch of MHI’s H-IIB No.8, sending HTV-8 to the International Space Station.

Not much is known about the cause yet, but the really amazing thing is that the rocket didn’t blow up, safety systems all worked as designed, and they will get a chance to try again soon.

A (very poor) screen capture from a printout given at the post-cancellation debriefing showing the location of the fire relative to the rocket.

Video of the launch attempt (indexed just before the fire becomes visible):

Press conference (Japanese language only — if you have any questions ask in comments and I can translate):

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