A Chinese Tianlong-3 rocket accidentally launched during a ground test on Sunday, crashing into a hilly area in Gongyi, central China.
The incident involved the rocket’s first stage, which detached from its launch pad due to a structural failure, according to Space Pioneer, also known as Beijing Tianbing Technology, on Monday.
Space Pioneer reported that the rocket’s onboard computer shut down automatically after liftoff, causing it to fall 1.5 kilometres southwest of the test platform and disintegrate upon landing.
There were no injuries, as the area had been reportedly evacuated before the test.
Local authorities confirmed that the scattered rocket debris caused a fire that was extinguished.
Video footage from the incident showed the rocket rising into the air, losing power, turning horizontally, and then crashing and exploding into flames.
In April 2023, Space Pioneer successfully launched the Tianlong-2 and became China’s first commercial launch operator to send a liquid carrier rocket into space and successfully enter orbit.
The Tianlong-3 rocket is designed to help construct China’s satellite internet networks and is expected to perform comparably to SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
The company aims to launch the rocket over 30 times yearly after its first successful flight.
This accident follows the recent return of China’s Chang’e-6 lunar module, which collected the first-ever samples from the far side of the moon.
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