SpaceX Chasing? Chinese Rocket Launched by Mistake [Reading Science]

South Korea Nuriho 4th Launch First Stage Engine First Combustion Test Success
China Private Rocket Soars into Air During Combustion Test

On the 30th of last month, China's Tianbing Technology (Space Pioneer) Tianlong-3 rocket was launched and soared into the sky due to an accident during the first stage ground combustion test. The absence of the rocket's upper part is clearly visible. Photo by Twitter capture

Our company has begun the first acceptance combustion test to verify the performance of the 75-ton class engine for the first stage of the 4th Nuriho launch. While our engine test was successful, a similar private rocket engine test conducted in China around the same time ended in a major failure, once again highlighting the risks of rocket engine testing and the importance of safety management.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Korea Aerospace Agency started the acceptance combustion test for the first stage engine of the 4th Nuriho launch on the 3rd at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do. The acceptance combustion test is conducted by fixing the rocket engine before mounting it on the launch vehicle and verifying its final performance through combustion.

This test was conducted on the first unit of the four 75-ton liquid engines to be mounted on the first stage flight model (FM).

At KARI, after installing the engine manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace on the test facility, they performed airtightness inspections, valve operation checks, and successfully carried out two combustion tests. The combustion test lasts for 70 seconds.

The combustion test of the first stage engine for the 4th Nuriho launch, which began on the 3rd at Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeonnam, has started. Flames are being emitted from the engine. Photo by Korea Aerospace Agency

Researcher Jo Nam-kyung from KARI explained, "Since this engine has the same design as those tested in the past, we verify whether the thrust output matches the design and check for any damage such as cracks after the test."

The Nuriho is equipped with a total of six engines. Four 75-ton engines are clustered on the first stage to secure a total thrust of 300 tons, one 75-ton engine is mounted on the second stage, and one 7-ton engine is installed on the third stage.

Researcher Jo said, "After conducting combustion tests on the additional first-stage engines delivered, they will be clustered to complete the first stage. The second and third stage engines will also undergo combustion tests before final assembly and launch." Unlike previous launches, no additional combustion tests will be conducted after clustering this time. The 4th Nuriho launch is scheduled for the second half of 2025.

In contrast to the combustion test of the Nuriho 4th launch engine, an absurd incident occurred in China where a privately developed rocket accidentally launched during a combustion test.

Space Pioneer, known as the Chinese version of SpaceX, conducted a ground combustion test of the first stage rocket of the Tianlong 3 rocket on the 30th of last month.

However, after igniting all nine first-stage engines, the structure connecting the rocket and the support suddenly detached, causing the rocket to shoot up into the sky. The rocket fell about 1.5 km southwest from the test stand approximately 50 seconds later.

Tianlong 2 was China's first private launch vehicle to enter Earth's orbit in April last year. Although Tianlong 3 was highly anticipated, this accident is expected to significantly impact future test schedules and related plans.

Researcher Jo stated that such incidents frequently occur during rocket combustion tests. They happen when there is a problem with the holding device that hydraulically secures or releases the rocket or engine.

Researcher Jo said, "We are thoroughly managing to ensure there are no issues with the holding devices during the Nuriho engine tests." He added, "To prepare for any unforeseen situations, no personnel are allowed within a 500-meter radius of the combustion test site."