Technology
China resumes launches following Long March failure as Taiwanese test rocket self-destructs
China returned its YF-100 rocket engines to service within six days of an anomaly, while a prototype launch vehicle in Taiwan was destroyed after veering off course.
The short version
- China's space program resumed flights using YF-100 engines following an August 10 Long March 7A launch failure, with a Long March 12 launch succeeding six days later.
- China is preparing to launch its Chang'e 7 lunar lander using the heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket, which also relies on YF-100 engines.
- A prototype satellite launch vehicle in Taiwan experienced a trajectory issue during a test launch and was terminated via self-destruct.
- Taiwan reported no casualties or property damage, with debris landing in a designated safety zone.
Key facts
- A Chinese Long March 7A rocket failed and disintegrated less than 90 seconds after liftoff on August 10.[Ars Technica]
- Six days after the failure, China successfully launched a Long March 12 rocket, returning the shared YF-100 engine model to service.[Ars Technica]
- China's heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket is scheduled to launch the Chang'e 7 lunar mission toward the Moon's south pole.[Ars Technica]
- A prototype satellite launch vehicle built by Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology veered off course shortly after launch.[Ars Technica]
- The Taiwanese prototype's trajectory anomaly triggered an automated self-destruct system, dropping debris into a predetermined safety zone near southern Taiwan without causing injuries or damage.[Ars Technica]
What remains uncertain
- Chinese authorities have not publicly disclosed the underlying cause of the Long March 7A launch failure.[Ars Technica]