A Japanese space rocket launch failed minutes following lift-off.

Space One ended the flight of its Kairos small rocket shortly after takeoff on Wednesday, December 18. It marks the second attempt in nine months to become the country's first company to deliver a satellite to space.

Footage from the local Wakayama prefecture government shows the 59ft (18m) solid-propellant rocket blasting off from Spaceport Kii in western Japan at 11 am, but losing stability in its trajectory as it ascended.

It is the latest in a series of setbacks for Japan's rocket development, as the government seeks to grow the domestic space industry, aiming for 30 rocket launches each year by the early 2030s.

Space One told local reporters that the second Kairos flight, which lasted only about 10 minutes, was terminated because 'the achievement of its mission would be difficult'.

Space colonisation efforts have gained momentum in recent years, driven by both private enterprises - like Elon Musk's SpaceX - and governments aiming to establish permanent habitats beyond Earth.

This includes the strategic use of Earth's orbit for satellites and other space infrastructure, such as the Starlink internet satellites and GPS technology.

However, space colonisation is also being driven by the hunt for raw earth metals and other as-yet-undiscovered substances that could aid life on Earth.

Some proponents also envision creating self-sustaining communities on other planets, moons, or within space stations.

Supporters claim the ultimate goal is to expand humanity's presence in space, ensuring long-term survival and reducing dependence on Earth.