Chinese rocket debris causes explosion near residential area
A fragment of the Chinese Long March 3B rocket fell to Earth, creating a hazardous situation. The piece exploded near buildings, an event that was captured on video.
The recent launch of the Chinese Long March 3B rocket, which involved sending the TJS-14 satellite into space, initially proceeded smoothly. The satellite reached orbit, but the rocket itself encountered an issue. One of the four side boosters fell to Earth.
According to space.com, the booster fell in a populated area—Zhenyuan County in Guizhou Province. A video of the incident was shared online.
Surveillance footage shows the reaction of two people to the explosion, which occurred near their home. Although the explosion itself is not visible, the footage clearly shows the sky brightly lit in the area. Information from space.com indicates that the booster exploded on a hill close to residential buildings.
Chinese rockets are launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, built inland to enhance safety during the Cold War. This approach contrasts with other countries, which typically launch rockets from coastal locations. As a result, rocket parts usually fall into the water, unlike in China, where they fall on land.
The Long March 3B is one of the older Chinese rockets still in operation. It uses a toxic hypergolic fuel mixture consisting of hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. The first stage of the rocket has four boosters, each over 2 metres in height. These often contain residual fuel, causing explosions when they hit the ground. Additionally, the fuel poses a risk to living organisms.
As reported by space.com, Chinese authorities are seeking to mitigate risks associated with space launches. However, their approach is somewhat unconventional—evacuating selected areas, sending out launch notifications, and issuing warnings against contact with rocket debris that falls on land.
