Watch: China's Long March 7A rocket explodes just 85 seconds after launch

China's Long March 7A exploded during first-stage flight about 85 seconds after lifting off from Wenchang. The loss will trigger a closely watched investigation even as China's broader launch programme continues.The Long March 7A is a medium-to-heavy-lift launch vehicle. (Photo: X/@PhazzeeYeehaw)China’s Long March 7A (CZ-7A) rocket exploded during its first-stage flight shortly after lifting off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, marking only the second failure of the rocket since it entered service.The rocket launched from Wenchang before experiencing an apparent failure approximately 85 seconds after liftoff, during the early phase of its ascent. The incident resulted in the loss of the mission and adds another setback to China’s otherwise growing launch activity.The Long March 7A is a medium-to-heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. It is primarily designed to place satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and is an important part of China’s launch vehicle family.WATCH CHINA'S LONG MARCH 7A ROCKET EXPLODESThe CZ-7A is derived from the Long March 7 and uses a core stage powered by liquid-fuel engines, accompanied by boosters. Its design allows China to launch heavier payloads toward higher-energy orbits. The failed mission was the 18th flight of the Long March 7A. With this incident, the rocket's failure count rises to just two, giving it a relatively high success rate over its operational history.The cause of the explosion has not yet been established. Investigators are expected to analyse telemetry and data from the vehicle to determine what went wrong during the first-stage ascent. Early-flight failures can be particularly significant because the rocket is subjected to rapidly changing aerodynamic loads, intense vibration and the demanding transition from liftoff to high-speed atmospheric flight.China has dramatically increased its launch cadence in recent years, with the Long March family forming the backbone of its orbital programme. Wenchang has also become a major launch hub for some of the country's most powerful rockets and future deep-space missions.Despite the failure, the incident is unlikely to fundamentally alter China's broader launch programme. However, the investigation will be closely watched by the country's space industry as engineers seek to identify the cause and prevent a repeat during future CZ-7A missions.The failure also highlights the inherent risks of orbital launch operations, where even mature rockets can suffer catastrophic failures within seconds of leaving the launch pad.- EndsPublished By: Sibu Kumar TripathiPublished On: Aug 10, 2026 19:22 IST