China's first private rocket fails after launch

Published
35
Chinese media reports say the rocket was carrying a satellite for state broadcaster CCTV.— AFP
Chinese media reports say the rocket was carrying a satellite for state broadcaster CCTV.— AFP

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.

Opinion

Editorial

Cost of provinces
Updated 01 Nov, 2026

Cost of provinces

Political parties demanding new provinces must explain how they intend to pay for them and what improvements citizens can expect.
Exchange hack
01 Nov, 2026

Exchange hack

ON Thursday, the largest cryptocurrency heist in history saw some $6.3bn drained from exchange platform Binance’s...
Cyber safety
01 Nov, 2026

Cyber safety

WHILE the state’s proposal to create a Cybersecurity and Social Media Awareness Council envisages needed...
China green channel
Updated 31 Oct, 2026

China green channel

The green channel is a useful step, given Pakistan identifies which agricultural products it can export, meets Chinese quality standards, and builds dependable supply chains.
Excessive punishment
Updated 31 Oct, 2026

Excessive punishment

It is unfortunate to see her and her husband punished so harshly for acts that seem downright frivolous compared to the violence actual terrorists routinely perpetrate.
Forced conversions
31 Oct, 2026

Forced conversions

THE institutional bias against minority females leaves them to either be directly victimised or to live in ...