The launch of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIB rocket was scheduled at the Tanegashima Space Centre in the Kagoshima prefecture. The Kounotori 8 spacecraft, also known as HTV-8, carrying over 4 tons of supplies was slated to reach the ISS for 14 September.
A spokesman for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ray Iechika Takaku, told a news conference after the failed launch that the company has never seen a launchpad fire during an H-IIB launch, adding that the blaze began after fueling for the launch was completed, according to Space.com.
The fire reportedly burned for about two hours before being extinguished and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire, and whether it caused any damage to the H-IIB rocket, has yet to be determined, according to Space.com.
The last HTV-type spacecraft was sent into space in September 2018. To date, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has reportedly launched seven HTV missions since 2009. The latest launch would have lifted off on the 10th anniversary of the first HTV flight.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has become an important player in space exploration, making significant contributions to the orbital research platform, including regular cargo flights by Kounotori unmanned transfer vehicles.