A Chinese private company’s space rocket crashed and exploded into flames near the city of Gongyi on Sunday after it accidentally launched during a test.
Cause of the Accident
Beijing Tianbing, also known as Space Pioneer, stated that the first stage of its Tianlong-3 rocket launched unintentionally due to a structural failure at the connection between the rocket and the test stand. The rocket subsequently landed in a hilly area near Gongyi in central China.
Flight and Crash Details
The rocket was observed soaring straight up before losing power, turning horizontally, and then falling back to earth, where it exploded into flames on nearby forested hills.
Aftermath and Safety Measures
Parts of the rocket stage were scattered within a designated “safe area,” causing a local fire, according to the Gongyi emergency management bureau. The fire was promptly extinguished, and no injuries were reported.
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