China's Long March 7A rocket exploded and became a giant fireball about 85 seconds after lifting off from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre on Hainan Island on Monday evening. The rocket was carrying a satellite and experienced a relatively rare failure given that this type of rocket has been the backbone of Beijing's space programme.
Video footage showed the rocket suddenly turning into a fireball in the critical moments after launch. The Long March 7A is designed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The launch was supposed to be the 18th mission for the Long March 7A. The rocket had previously recorded only one failure during its maiden flight in 2020.
