China's first attempt to launch a commercially-built rocket into space failed, after the rocket's third stage engine malfunctioned.
Beijing-based LandSpace said late Saturday that the launch proceeded as expected until something went wrong with the final stage. Zhuque-1, or ZQ-1, is the first commercially-built Chinese three-stage rocket.
"Cowling separation was normal but something abnormal happened after the second stage," the company said in a statement, without providing any further details of the incident.
"We still believe that building rockets is the right strategy for the company. We are the first Chinese private company to build a three-stage carrier rocket. That's already a great achievement," the statement said. "We will carry on with our dream for vast space."
China's first private-sector commercial launch vehicle, Zhuque-1, developed by Beijing-based private space company LandSpace, failed to send a satellite into orbit after being launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in NW China's Gansu on Sat. No other details are available pic.twitter.com/DOKozEnfX3
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) 27 октября 2018 г.
According to Chinese media report, ZQ-1 was carrying a "Future" satellite for Chinese CCTV broadcaster.
