Chinese Rocket Explodes Minutes After Launch, Investigation Underway
The Long March 7A rocket, carrying the Zhongxing-4B satellite, burst into flames 85 seconds after liftoff from the Wenchang Space Launch Site.
A Chinese Long March 7A rocket carrying the Zhongxing-4B satellite exploded shortly after takeoff on Monday, according to state media. The launch mission failed approximately 85 seconds after liftoff from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, Xinhua reported. The rocket was completely destroyed, and an investigation into the cause of the anomaly is underway.
Dramatic footage shared on social media depicted the rocket erupting into flames in the sky, followed by a cloud of gray smoke and falling debris. Crowds in Singapore watched the event unfold, as reported by Channel NewsAsia.
This incident marks the first failure for the Long March 7A since its initial flight in March 2020. The rocket is a medium-lift variant primarily used for deploying communications satellites into high orbits. The payload, Zhongxing-4B, is part of a satellite series that provides broadcasting and telecommunications services over large areas.
The failure occurs as China continues to invest heavily in its space program, aiming to become a global leader in space technology by 2050. This ambition includes plans to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030, a goal that places China in competition with the United States' Artemis program. In July, China successfully landed a reusable rocket, a development seen as a significant step towards reducing launch costs.
Despite this setback, experts suggest the explosion is unlikely to significantly impact China's broader space ambitions, including the upcoming Chang'e-7 lunar mission. This mission, scheduled to launch in the latter half of 2026 using the larger Long March 5 rocket, will target the Moon's south pole.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, commented on footage of the explosion on X, stating, "Rockets are insanely hard." He added, "I hope they have a speedy recovery."