Beijing Tianbing Technology announced that the first stage of its Tianlong-3 rocket detached from its launch pad during testing in Gongyi, China due to a structural failure. There were no casualties reported, and the debris caused a local fire which has since been extinguished. The Tianlong-3 is a partly reusable rocket being developed by Space Pioneer, a private rocket manufacturer. While falling rocket debris in China is not uncommon, it is rare for a rocket in development to crash outside of its test site. The first stage of the Tianlong-3 ignited normally during a test but detached from the test bench and landed in a hilly area close to a mile away. The rocket is designed to have multiple stages, with the first stage igniting upon launch and subsequently falling off when the fuel is expended. Space Pioneer aims for the Tianlong-3 to have performance comparable to SpaceX’s Falcon 9. In 2023, Space Pioneer became the first private Chinese company to launch a liquid-propellant rocket into space. The surge of Chinese commercial space companies began in 2014 with private investment allowed in the industry. Many companies are focusing on developing reusable rockets to reduce mission costs. Test sites are often located along China’s coast for safety, but Space Pioneer’s test center is situated in Gongyi, a city in the central province of Henan.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
Chinese Space Rocket Accidentally Explodes in Fiery Crash After Launch
Next article![]( "The Interplay of Challenges and Advantages: How the New Mexico Economy Drives its Growth – Albuquerque Journal")
