PaperDabba News Desk: July 13, 2024
China’s space industry faced another setback as the latest rocket launch by the startup iSpace failed, resulting in the destruction of three commercial satellites intended for global weather monitoring and earthquake alerts.
iSpace Rocket Launch Failure
The 24-meter solid-fueled Hyperbola-1 rocket, developed by iSpace, was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert on Thursday. Although the first three stages of the rocket performed nominally, the company reported that the fourth stage failed, leading to the mission’s failure.
Investigation Underway
A detailed investigation is being conducted to determine the exact cause of the failure, with a comprehensive report expected soon. The rocket was designed to carry a payload of 300 kilograms to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
Impacted Satellites
The Hyperbola-1 was carrying three weather satellites—Yunyao-1 15, 16, and 17—developed by the Tianjin-based Yunyao Aerospace Technology Company. Unfortunately, the satellites did not reach their intended orbit.
Future Plans for Yunyao Aerospace
Yunyao Aerospace Technology aims to complete its 90-satellite Yunyao-1 constellation by next year and plans to launch nearly 40 satellites this year. This constellation is part of the company’s goal to provide high-resolution, ultra-precise weather monitoring and earthquake early warnings to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
“Our team is committed to breaking foreign monopolies and delivering superior monitoring and early warning capabilities,” a Yunyao Aerospace representative told Tianjin Daily in January.
Implications for China’s Space Industry
The failure of the iSpace rocket highlights the challenges faced by China’s private space sector as it strives to compete globally. Despite setbacks, companies like Yunyao Aerospace remain focused on their ambitious goals, which include significant contributions to global weather forecasting and disaster management.
