On June 30, 2024, a notable aerospace incident occurred at the Comprehensive Test Center in Gongyi City, Henan Province, China.
During ground testing, the private company "Sky Warrior Technology," under its "Tianlong 3" carrier rocket program, unexpectedly launched into the air, sparking widespread shock and attention.
"Sky Warrior Technology" had prepared extensively for a ground hot-fire test of the first-stage engine of its "Tianlong 3" carrier rocket.
This engine utilized a nine-engine parallel power system, with an expected thrust of up to 820 tons.
Company executives had high hopes that this test would mark a new milestone for the private aerospace industry.
On the day of the test, the engine successfully ignited, and the thrust quickly reached the expected 820 tons, leaving engineers on-site exhilarated.
However, just when everyone thought the test was about to conclude successfully, the ground securing apparatus suddenly malfunctioned.
The unrestrained engine, like a wild horse freed from its reins, surged skyward with tremendous thrust.
Chaos ensued on-site as engineers watched in astonishment as the rocket, which was not supposed to launch, ascended into the sky.
Once airborne, the control systems quickly malfunctioned, a safety measure that was supposed to prevent such incidents.
However, this meant that the several-ton heavy object was now completely out of control, tracing an unpredictable trajectory in the air.
The ground control center was in an unprecedented state of tension.
Ultimately, the out-of-control engine crashed into the deep mountains about 1.5 kilometers from the test stand.
The massive impact and ensuing fuel explosion created a small mushroom cloud-like fireball in the forest.
The explosion startled residents several kilometers away, many of whom initially mistook it for an earthquake.
Fortunately, this perilous accident did not result in any casualties.
The accident site was far from urban areas, preventing larger disasters.
This incident served as a wake-up call for "Sky Warrior Technology" and the entire Chinese private aerospace sector.
The direct cause of the accident was the sudden failure of the ground securing apparatus.
These devices play a crucial role in withstanding immense thrust and maintaining engine stability during ground tests.
The failure could be attributed to material fatigue, design flaws, or operational errors.
Existing safety protocols proved inadequate in dealing with such a rare emergency.
The lack of emergency plans to handle engine mishaps like this was a clear oversight.
Aerospace companies need to establish more comprehensive safety protocols, including emergency response plans for extreme situations.
This incident exposed a significant technological gap between private aerospace companies and national-level aerospace institutions in China.
Despite achieving the expected thrust in the engine design of "Tianlong 3," there is room for improvement in system integration, safety management, and other areas.
They need to establish a more robust quality control system while maintaining innovative vitality and drawing from the experience of mature aerospace institutions.
This incident has drawn international attention to China's aerospace industry.
While China's aerospace projects have maintained a high success rate, this mistake by a private company could negatively impact public confidence in the entire industry.
Compared to other emerging aerospace nations, China's private aerospace companies are developing rapidly.
Different countries have varied approaches to managing private aerospace companies; the United States adopts a relatively lenient approach, while Russia maintains stricter controls.
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