One of China's workhorse rockets just exploded in flight
A Chinese Long March 7A rocket exploded shortly after liftoff on Monday, marking a rare failure for the country's state-run space program. The rocket was carrying a payload believed to be a military communications satellite.
Why it matters
The failure of a workhorse launch vehicle raises questions about the reliability of China's rapidly expanding space program and its critical engine technology.
What goes up One of China’s workhorse rockets just exploded in flight If the failure involved the YF-100 engine, there are broader concerns for China’s space program.
4 File photo of a Long March 7 rocket rolling to its launch pad in China's Hainan Province in January 2024. Credit: Li Zhenzhou/VCG via Getty Images File photo of a Long March 7 rocket rolling to its launch pad in China's Hainan Province in January 2024. Credit: Li Zhenzhou/VCG via Getty Images Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav One of China’s most used rockets, the Long March 7A, exploded a little more than a minute after lifting off on Monday evening, local time.
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