On June 30, a private company named Space Pioneer experienced an unexpected rocket launch during a test at their Gongyi City, Henan Province facility in central China. The rocket, known as the Thien Long 3, lifted off from the launch pad and flew into the air before losing thrust and spinning sideways. It ultimately crashed into a deep mountain, causing its body to shatter. The incident occurred due to a structural issue between the rocket body and the test stand, leading to the first stage breaking away from the launch pad.
Despite this mishap, no injuries were reported as the area had been evacuated prior to the test. Space Pioneer is known for specializing in manufacturing liquid-fueled rockets, and they successfully launched the Tianlong 2 rocket in April 2023. The Tianlong 3 is a large liquid-fuel rocket specifically developed to support China’s satellite Internet network construction efforts. It has two stages and features some level of reusability.
Compared to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, which is also a two-stage rocket, the Tianlong 3 is said to perform similarly well. Space Pioneer believes that after its initial successful flight, they will be able to launch the rocket more than 30 times a year. The growth of China’s commercial space companies has been significant since 2014 when private investment in the sector was first allowed by the government. This has led companies focusing on satellite development and reusable rocket technology to lower launch costs. Test sites for these companies are often near the sea for safety but can also be inland like Space Pioneer’s center in Gongyi city.
Overall, while this incident was unfortunate, it highlights how important it is for space companies to prioritize safety measures and take necessary precautions during testing phases. As technology continues to evolve in this industry, we can expect more advancements and improvements in both commercial launches and satellite communication networks in China and beyond.
