Key facts
- China's Long March 7A rocket exploded approximately 80 seconds after liftoff on Monday evening.
- The rocket's payload was classified but believed to be a military communications satellite.
- The explosion occurred during the first stage of flight.
- The YF-100 engine, used in the Long March 7A and other Chinese rockets, is a potential cause.
- The Chang'e 7 lunar mission, reliant on YF-100 engines, may face delays.
One of China's most frequently used rockets, the Long March 7A, exploded approximately 80 seconds after its liftoff on Monday evening, local time. The rocket was carrying a classified payload, believed to be a military communications satellite.
The liftoff from the Wenchang Space Launch Site appeared normal, but videos captured the rocket's first stage exploding about 1 minute and 20 seconds into its flight. The Long March 7A is developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and operated by the state's space agency. Chinese officials have not yet commented on the incident.
Given the timing of the explosion, it likely occurred during the first stage's flight, possibly at the point of maximum dynamic pressure. While a flight termination system could have been activated if the rocket veered off course, the exact cause remains unconfirmed due to the closed nature of China's space program.
However, if the failure is attributed to the first stage's main engine, the YF-100, it could have significant implications for China's broader space endeavors. The YF-100, a liquid oxygen and kerosene-fueled engine with 270,000 pounds of thrust at sea level, has been a workhorse for the past decade, powering the Long March 7 and its 7A variant. It is also used in various configurations across as many as nine Chinese rockets, including the Long March 5 and 8, and modified versions are incorporated into new rockets like the Long March 10.
This potential engine issue could delay critical upcoming missions, such as China's Chang'e 7 robotic mission to the Moon, which is slated to launch on a Long March 5 rocket in about two weeks. The Long March 5's boosters are powered by YF-100 engines. The Chang'e 7 mission is a key part of China's lunar program, aiming to deploy an orbiter, lander, rover, and mini-hopper near the Moon's South Pole, a region also targeted by NASA for potential resource development.