Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Chinese Long March 7A rocket explodes, destroying communication satellite
China has a very big rocket called the Long March 7A.
On Monday night, it launched from an island called Hainan.
About 85 seconds after it took off, the rocket blew up in a huge fireball in the sky.
The rocket was carrying a satellite named Zhongxing-4B, which was supposed to send radio, television and other services to people around the world.
The explosion destroyed the satellite.
Nobody knows exactly why the rocket failed, and experts are investigating.
China's official news agency said the rocket had a problem during flight.
Usually China celebrates its successful space launches, but this time the news barely mentioned the explosion, and videos from regular people seemed to be hidden.
China wants to be a leader in space science by 2050, so the failure is a big setback for its space ambitions.
A Chinese Long March 7A rocket exploded into a massive fireball about 85 seconds after liftoff from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan island on Monday night.
The explosion destroyed the Zhongxing-4B (ChinaSat-4B) communications satellite, which was intended to provide radio, television and other communications services to users around the world.
State news agency Xinhua confirmed the failure about three hours later, saying the rocket "experienced an anomaly during flight," and an investigation into the cause is underway.
The incident appeared to be downplayed on China's state media, and videos posted by private accounts on platforms such as Xiaohongshu and Douyin seemed to be removed or deprioritised from searches.
It was the rocket's second failure in 18 missions, the first being its maiden flight in 2020, and comes as China aims to become a global leader in space science by 2050.
- Who
- China's space program, including the Long March 7A rocket designed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who is pursuing space ambitions.
- What
- The Long March 7A rocket exploded about 85 seconds after liftoff, destroying the Zhongxing-4B (ChinaSat-4B) communications satellite it was carrying.
- When
- Monday night.
- Where
- Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan island, China.
- Why
- The exact cause is unknown and under investigation; Xinhua said the rocket "experienced an anomaly during flight."
- Rocket
- Long March 7A
- Destroyed satellite
- Zhongxing-4B (ChinaSat-4B)
- Failure time
- Approximately 85 seconds after liftoff
- Launch site
- Wenchang Space Launch Site, Hainan island, China
- Mission history
- 18th mission; second failure after maiden flight in 2020
- Designer
- China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (subsidiary of CASC)
- Official statement
- Rocket "experienced an anomaly during flight" (Xinhua)
- Investigation
- Underway; cause not yet determined
