The debut launch of the Tianlong-3 rocket, developed by Chinese commercial aerospace firm Space Pioneer, ended in failure early Friday after the vehicle encountered an anomaly during its ascent phase. The rocket lifted off at 12:17 a.m. Eastern (0417 UTC) on April 3 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, specifically from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone. Amateur videos circulating on Chinese social media appeared to show irregularities during the rocket’s climb shortly after liftoff.
A full-scale mockup of Space Pioneer’s Tianlong-3 launch vehicle vertically integrated on its newly completed launch pad at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone. Credit: Space Pioneer
China’s state news agency Xinhua News Agency confirmed the failure several hours later, stating that the cause of the anomaly remains under investigation. No detailed explanation has yet been provided.
In a subsequent statement, Space Pioneer issued an apology to its partners and the public, acknowledging the setback and pledging to ensure the success of future missions. The company did not disclose whether any payloads were aboard the rocket or if losses were incurred.
The Tianlong-3 is a two-stage, kerosene-liquid oxygen rocket designed with partial reusability in mind, reflecting ambitions similar to those of SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Standing 72 meters tall with a diameter of 3.8 meters, the rocket is capable of carrying between 17,000 and 22,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit, or up to 17,000 kilograms to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. Its first stage is powered by nine Tianhuo-12 engines with variable thrust capability.
Friday’s failed launch comes nearly two years after a dramatic incident during a ground test in June 2024, when a Tianlong-3 first stage unexpectedly broke free from its restraints during a static fire test. The stage briefly lifted off before crashing into a nearby hillside and exploding. That घटना prompted tighter regulatory scrutiny of China’s commercial launch sector and led to significant redesign efforts and delays for the Tianlong-3 program.
The unsuccessful maiden flight represents a major hurdle for Space Pioneer as it seeks to establish itself in the increasingly competitive global commercial launch market.
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