China’s Long March 7A Rocket Explodes 85 Seconds After Launch
China’s space program has suffered a major setback after a Long March 7A rocket malfunctioned shortly after liftoff, destroying the rocket and the ChinaSat-4B communications satellite it was carrying.
The rocket launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan at around 8:02 p.m. local time on Monday, August 10. Video footage circulating on social media showed the rocket breaking apart and exploding in mid-air approximately 85 seconds after launch.
The ChinaSat-4B satellite was designed to provide communications services and is reportedly considered a dual-use spacecraft with potential civilian and military applications. China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency said the rocket experienced an “anomaly during flight,” resulting in the failure of the mission. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.
The Long March 7A is a medium-lift launch vehicle designed primarily to place satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The incident marks the second known failure of the rocket. Its maiden flight on March 2, 2020, also ended unsuccessfully because of technical problems.
No official explanation has yet been given for the latest failure. Investigators are expected to examine the rocket’s engines, structural components, flight systems and the timing of various stages of the mission to determine what caused the malfunction.
The failure represents a setback for China’s expanding space-launch program, although the country continues to operate a broad fleet of Long March launch vehicles for commercial, scientific and government missions.
Source: Geo News — “China’s Long March 7A rocket explodes 85 seconds after liftoff”
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