Launch of China's Lijian 1 Y6 commercial rocket ends in failure

Launch of China's Lijian 1 Y6 commercial rocket ends in failure
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 28, 2024

China's Lijian-1 Y6 carrier rocket, a cornerstone of the nation's growing commercial space ambitions, failed during its launch on Friday. The mission was conducted at a commercial aerospace innovation pilot zone in Northwest China, marking an important yet ultimately unsuccessful attempt to expand China's presence in the competitive commercial launch market.

The Lijian-1 rocket is part of a series of small-lift launch vehicles designed and developed by CAS Space, a commercial spinoff of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The rocket is tailored to meet the growing demand for deploying small and medium-sized satellites into low Earth orbit. The vehicle stands approximately 30 meters tall, with a liftoff weight of about 135 metric tons, and is capable of delivering a payload of up to 1,500 kilograms to a 500-kilometer Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).

Friday's launch began successfully, with liftoff recorded at 9:03 am Beijing Time. The mission initially appeared to progress as planned, showcasing the vehicle's high-thrust solid-propellant engine technology. However, during the third stage of flight, a critical malfunction occurred. CAS Space reported that an attitude instability developed just three seconds after the stage's engine ignition, throwing the mission off course.

This malfunction activated the onboard autonomous safety control system, a crucial feature designed to prevent unintended consequences during failures. The system immediately triggered the rocket's self-destruction to ensure public safety and prevent potential damage to infrastructure or the environment.

The Lijian-1 series has been considered a significant step forward for China's commercial aerospace sector, providing a cost-effective and reliable option for satellite launches. While previous missions of the Lijian-1 had demonstrated success, the Y6 variant's failure highlights the challenges inherent in advancing complex rocket technology.

CAS Space has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the anomaly. "Understanding the root cause of this issue is our top priority," the company stated, emphasizing its commitment to improving reliability and learning from the incident.

The failure is a setback for CAS Space, which has been positioning itself as a leader in China's commercial aerospace sector. The company's growing portfolio of rockets is aimed at catering to the increasing demand for satellite deployments from both domestic and international clients. Despite this incident, the broader development of the Lijian-1 program is expected to continue as China pushes forward with its ambitious space plans.