China iSpace rocket fails soon after launch, losing 3 weather satellites

12.07.2024

A Chinese rocket startup encountered another launch failure, resulting in the loss of three satellites intended for a commercial constellation used for global weather forecasting and earthquake prediction.

The Hyperbola-1, a 24-meter (79ft) tall solid-fuel rocket manufactured by iSpace, took off on Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China’s Gobi Desert.

“While the rocket’s first, second, and third stages performed normally, the fourth stage experienced an anomaly, leading to the mission’s failure,” the company stated. According to a report from the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post on Friday, detailed investigations will soon reveal the specific reasons behind the failure.

The relatively compact Hyperbola-1, capable of carrying a payload of 300 kg (661 pounds) into a sun-synchronous orbit 500 km (311 miles) above Earth, was carrying Yunyao-1 weather satellites 15, 16, and 17 for Yunyao Aerospace Technology based in Tianjin. Unfortunately, the satellites did not successfully reach orbit.

According to the Post’s report, Yunyao Aerospace Technology had planned to launch nearly 40 satellites this year as part of its goal to complete the 90-satellite Yunyao-1 constellation by next year.