Beijing Tianbing Technology, also known as Space Pioneer, experienced a setback during the development of its Tianlong-3 rocket when the first stage detached from the launch pad during a test due to structural failure. The rocket stage landed in a hilly area of the city of Gongyi in central China, causing a local fire that has since been extinguished with no reported casualties. Falling rocket debris is not uncommon after launches in China, but it is rare for a rocket under development to crash outside of its test site.
The Tianlong-3 rocket is a partly reusable two-stage rocket being developed by Space Pioneer, aiming to compete with SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Space Pioneer previously made history by launching the Tianlong-2, the first private Chinese liquid-propellant rocket to reach space in April 2023. This is part of a larger trend of private Chinese space companies entering the industry since state approval for private investment in 2014.
Space Pioneer’s test site is located in Gongyi, a city in central China, despite the common practice of situating such facilities along coastal areas for safety reasons. The company’s focus on developing reusable rockets aims to reduce mission costs and compete in the growing commercial space sector. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in rocket development and testing, as companies like Space Pioneer continue to push the boundaries of China’s private space industry.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com