China’s Tianbing Aerospace Technology made headlines for all the wrong reasons when its Tianlong-3 rocket took an unexpected detour during an engine test. The rocket, touted as a competitor to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, was supposed to remain stationary on the launchpad while the engines fired. However, a “structural failure” caused the Tianlong-3 to soar skyward, only to crash into a nearby mountain in a fiery explosion.
Videos captured by onlookers in Henan province showed the rocket streaking into the sky before meeting its untimely end. Thankfully, the explosion caused only a local fire and no injuries. The Tianlong-3, with a takeoff mass similar to the Falcon 9 and designed for reusability, was meant to be a game-changer for China’s aerospace industry.
Chinese netizens drew parallels between this mishap and SpaceX’s early struggles with the Falcon rockets, with some even finding humor in the situation. The incident occurred just days after Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged the country’s science sector to ramp up efforts to dominate the global tech scene.
While the accidental launch may have been a setback for Tianbing Aerospace Technology, the quest for innovation in China’s space industry continues. Stay tuned as the race to the stars heats up, with unexpected twists and turns along the way.
