Accidental launch of Chinese space rocket results in fiery crash

Beijing Tianbing Technology reported that the first stage of its Tianlong-3 rocket detached from its launch pad during a test due to structural failure and landed in Gongyi, central China. There were no casualties but the debris caused a local fire, which has since been extinguished. The Tianlong-3 rocket is a partly reusable rocket under development by Space Pioneer, a private-sector rocket maker that has grown rapidly in recent years. Falling rocket debris after launches is not uncommon in China, but it is rare for a rocket under development to detach and crash. The first stage of the Tianlong-3 failed during a hot test and landed close to a mile away. The rocket is comparable to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and the company previously launched a kerosene-oxygen rocket in 2023. Chinese commercial space companies have been rapidly entering the sector since private investment was allowed in 2014. Many companies are developing satellites, while others, like Space Pioneer, are focusing on reusable rockets to reduce mission costs. These companies have test sites along China’s coast for safety, but some are located inland, like Space Pioneer’s test center in Gongyi.

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