TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on Thursday conducted a ground test of the Epsilon S small rocket's engine, following two consecutive failures in similar tests in recent years.

The test of the 27-meter-long, solid-fuel rocket was completed as planned, marking a step toward launching an Epsilon S rocket demonstrator by the end of March.

Japan's last successful launch of an Epsilon-series rocket was in 2021.

After explosions during combustion tests in 2023 and 2024, the test of the Epsilon S rocket's second-stage engine at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture began at 9 a.m. and lasted about 130 seconds.

Since determining the causes of the two previous failures involving the new engine would take time, the test used an older M-35a second-stage motor, in which some components had been replaced with substitute materials.

The M-35a was positioned horizontally for the test, during which JAXA measured thrust, temperature, strain and other data.

"The data are within normal ranges, and we believe the test went well," Project Manager Takayuki Imoto told reporters after the test.

JAXA will spend about two months analyzing the collected data.

Along with the H3 liquid-fueled rocket, Epsilon S is one of two core launch vehicles designated by the Japanese government as essential to maintaining the country's independent satellite launch capability.

The Epsilon S shares components and technology with the H3 rocket to reduce launch costs and improve its competitiveness in the growing satellite launch market.