China's first private rocket fails after launch

E-Paper | July 02, 2026

The first attempt by a private Chinese company to send a rocket into space has failed.

Beijing-based Landspace said late on Saturday that the first and second stage of its ZQ-1 rocket worked normally but something went wrong with the final of the three-stage rocket.

It was the first three-stage rocket built by a private company in China.

Video posted by a Chinese news site shows the 19-meter (62-foot-) tall red-and-white rocket lifting off on Saturday against clear blue skies.

Landspace said that “cowling separation was normal but something abnormal happened after the second stage.” The statement posted on its social media account did not elaborate.

Chinese media reports say the rocket was carrying a satellite for state broadcaster CCTV.

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Philosopher (From Japan)

Oct 28, 2018 03:49pm

Made in China. Runs to heaven fails till evening.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Oct 28, 2018 04:07pm

With zero R&D and bulk of rocket technology acquired through stolen intellectual properties of America and Americans, what else can you expect?

Recommend 0

RaJGURU

Oct 28, 2018 04:12pm

Made in China.

Recommend 0

M. Saeed

Oct 28, 2018 04:15pm

Only falls create a good rider.

Recommend 0

Prasannajit

Oct 28, 2018 04:16pm

China also failed to successfully launch mars mission at first attempt which later India did .

Recommend 0

Maria enteparia onnuchoriu

Oct 28, 2018 04:19pm

keep trying.

Recommend 0

Oct 28, 2018 04:23pm

That's the reason this is called rocket science. Better luck next time.

Recommend 0

Rajesh

Oct 28, 2018 04:26pm

Chinese , what do you expect??

Recommend 0

Asim

Oct 28, 2018 04:30pm

Try again

Recommend 0

Mast maula

Oct 28, 2018 04:37pm

Made in china

Recommend 0

Ranjith

Oct 28, 2018 05:00pm

True Chinese technology. Nobody knows when it fails. But anyway they have some justification for all their failures

Recommend 0

manish

Oct 28, 2018 05:06pm

Bad luck, wishing the new unit success

Recommend 0

Rana

Oct 28, 2018 05:09pm

Check your things not hacked by those who don't want Chinese superiority in the space because of not only the dominance but also the thriving space market of the future which is making billions this time,

Recommend 0

desi dimag

Oct 28, 2018 05:12pm

Bad luck. Keep trying.

Recommend 0

Vishnu

Oct 28, 2018 05:16pm

Nothing wrong in failing for the first time.

Recommend 0

Atul

Oct 28, 2018 05:32pm

China is well ahead in technology

Recommend 0

paul

Oct 28, 2018 05:39pm

made in china

Recommend 0

Jai Bharat

Oct 28, 2018 05:44pm

go east or west Chinese goods, technology is really West .

Recommend 0

fairplay

Oct 28, 2018 05:50pm

good first step to allow private rocket launches. try, try again. good luck.

Recommend 0

Salahuddin

Oct 28, 2018 06:17pm

Failure is first step to success

Recommend 0

Truth

Oct 28, 2018 06:23pm

Failure is first step of success. Goodluck for future.

Recommend 0

AK Sahu

Oct 28, 2018 06:27pm

Made in China, great to know atleast it fired up and lasted three & half minutes flight away.

Recommend 0

Big Cheese

Oct 28, 2018 07:18pm

If at first you don't suceed try, try again.

Recommend 0

Divakar

Oct 28, 2018 07:29pm

After all, made in China.

Recommend 0

ajay

Oct 28, 2018 07:37pm

May be they succeeded in copying just first 2 stages. The 3rd stage was proudly made in China.

Recommend 0

spacekhan

Oct 28, 2018 07:54pm

Sufficient pressure not created in the third stage of rocket.

Recommend 0

fairplay

Oct 28, 2018 08:01pm

keep on trying, success will follow. improve process checks and quality control. good luck.

Recommend 0

PRASHANT Jain

Oct 28, 2018 08:58pm

I believe in future they will get success good luck

Recommend 0

RAja Raman

Oct 28, 2018 09:38pm

Nothing wrong in failing first time. Welcome to the Club and Hang on tough.

Recommend 0

Aslam

Oct 28, 2018 10:00pm

Copy past country, same results in future.

Recommend 0

Rscience

Oct 28, 2018 10:57pm

Quite astounded by some of the comments. By the way how many times did SpaceX fail before making successful launches. And how about failed launches by ISRO itself before they jump the gun on a Chinese private company.

Recommend 0

Sameer

Oct 29, 2018 01:11am

@Philosopher (From Japan) japan imports its ball points from China dude.

Recommend 0

Sameer

Oct 29, 2018 01:12am

a pvt firm. Good venture...lets remember Elon saw similar bad days,

Recommend 0

Imtiaz Ali Khan

Oct 29, 2018 04:11am

Through many failures comes success my Sino brothers. We Pakistanis are proud of China. SinoPak Iron Brothers 4 Life!

Recommend 0

Suraj71

Oct 29, 2018 09:38pm

@Sameer R u Chinese??

Recommend 0

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