Chinese rocket booster explosion sparks safety concerns
A fragment of the Chinese Long March 3B rocket fell to Earth, creating a hazardous situation. The piece exploded near buildings, which was captured on video recordings.
The recent launch of the Chinese Long March 3B rocket, which involved sending the TJS-14 satellite into space, proceeded smoothly. The satellite was successfully placed into orbit, but the rocket encountered an issue. One of the four side boosters fell back to Earth.
According to space.com, the booster landed in a populated area in Zhenyuan County, Guizhou Province. A recording of the incident has been shared online.
Monitoring footage shows the reaction of two individuals to the explosion, which occurred close to their home. While the explosion itself is not visible, it is evident how brightly it illuminated the sky in the vicinity. Information from space.com indicates that the booster exploded on a hill near residential buildings.
Chinese rockets are launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, built inland for safety during the Cold War. This contrasts with the practices of other countries, which typically launch rockets from coastal areas. Consequently, parts of rockets in China fall on land rather than into the sea.
The Long March 3B is one of the older Chinese rockets still in use. It utilises a toxic hypergolic fuel mixture of hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. The first stage of the rocket includes four boosters, each over 2 metres in height. They often contain residual fuel, resulting in explosions upon impact with the ground. Additionally, the fuel can be harmful to living organisms.
As reported by space.com, Chinese authorities aim to address the risks associated with space launches. However, their approach is somewhat unconventional—selected areas are evacuated, information about launches is disseminated, and warnings are issued against contact with rocket debris that has fallen on land.
