A Chinese rocket crashed after being accidentally launched during a ground test on Sunday, as reported by its company Space Pioneer. The incident occurred when the first stage of the Tianlong-3 rocket detached from its launch pad during a test due to structural failure, landing in a hilly area of Gongyi in central China.
Space Pioneer, also known as Beijing Tianbing Technology, stated that the crash was a result of the structural failure of the connection between the rocket body and the test platform. Following liftoff, the onboard computer automatically shut down, causing the rocket to fall into the mountains southwest of the test platform, where it disintegrated.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from the crash, as the area had been evacuated prior to the rocket test. Space Pioneer is a prominent player in the commercial rocket industry, specializing in liquid-propellant rockets.
In April 2023, the company achieved a milestone by successfully launching its Tianlong-2 rocket, becoming China's first commercial launch operator to send a liquid carrier rocket into space and enter orbit. The Tianlong-3 rocket, which crashed on Sunday, is a large liquid carrier rocket designed to support the construction of China's satellite internet network.
Space Pioneer mentioned that the rocket's product performance is comparable to SpaceX's Falcon 9 and aims to conduct over 30 launches per year following the rocket's first successful flight. The incident occurred shortly after China's Chang'e-6 lunar module returned to Earth with samples from the far side of the moon, marking a significant achievement in China's space exploration ambitions.
This event underscores China's commitment to establishing itself as a leading space power, aligning with Chinese leader Xi Jinping's vision of realizing the country's space exploration goals. The incident also coincides with increased lunar exploration efforts by various countries, including the United States.
