Chinese rocket debris explodes near homes, sparks concern
A fragment of the Chinese Long March 3B rocket fell to Earth, creating a dangerous situation. The piece exploded near buildings, and the event was captured on video.
The recent launch of the Chinese Long March 3B rocket, which successfully sent the TJS-14 satellite into space, encountered an issue post-launch. Although the satellite was placed into orbit without incident, one of the rocket's four side boosters fell back to Earth.
According to space.com, the booster landed in a populated area—specifically, Zhenyuan County in Guizhou Province. Footage of the incident is now circulating online.
Video surveillance captures the reaction of two individuals to the explosion occurring near their home. While the explosion itself is not visible, the video clearly shows how it brightly illuminated the sky in the vicinity. Space.com reports that the booster exploded on a hill close to residential properties.
Chinese rockets are launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, located inland for Cold War-era safety precautions. This contrasts with practices in other countries, which typically launch rockets from coastal sites. Consequently, rocket debris usually falls into the ocean, whereas in China's case, it often lands on populated land areas.
The Long March 3B is one of China's older rocket models that remains in use. It operates on a toxic hypergolic fuel mixture of hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. The rocket's first stage includes four boosters, each over 7 feet tall. These boosters can contain leftover fuel, which often leads to explosions upon making contact with the ground. Additionally, the fuel poses hazards to living organisms.
As reported by space.com, Chinese authorities are taking steps to mitigate risks associated with space launches. Their approach includes evacuating selected areas, disseminating information about upcoming launches, and issuing warnings about avoiding contact with any fallen rocket debris.
