The Epsilon S rocket was supposed to launch early next year, but the recent blast will likely delay its debut by several months.

Japan's space agency aborted an engine test for the Epsilon S rocket on Tuesday after it exploded and caught fire, a repeated failure that will likely push the rocket's debut launch beyond the March-end target and delay the national space programme.

A recent combustion test at Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre resulted in the explosion and destruction of the Epsilon S rocket engine, raising concerns over the project's timeline. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is investigating to prevent further delays in the rocket's debut flight,