Long March 3B launches despite lightning strike
Posted: Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 7:26 AM ET (1126 GMT)
A Long March 3B successfully launched a data relay satellite despite being struck by lightning during its ascent. The Long March 3B lifted off at 8 am EDT (1200 GMT) Thursday from Xichang Satellite Launch Center. Amateur video shows the rocket being hit by lightning about 30 seconds after liftoff, but the rocket continued to fly and successfully delivered the Tianlian-2 (06) relay satellite to a geostationary transfer orbit. Separately, a Kinetica-1 (Lijian-1) launched at 7:33 pm EDT (2233 GMT) Thursday from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone at the Jiuquan spaceport. The small solid-fuel rocket placed into orbit five satellites for various customers.
A Long March 3B successfully launched a data relay satellite despite being struck by lightning during its ascent. The Long March 3B lifted off at 8 am EDT (1200 GMT) Thursday from Xichang Satellite Launch Center. Amateur video shows the rocket being hit by lightning about 30 seconds after liftoff, but the rocket continued to fly and successfully delivered the Tianlian-2 (06) relay satellite to a geostationary transfer orbit. Separately, a Kinetica-1 (Lijian-1) launched at 7:33 pm EDT (2233 GMT) Thursday from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone at the Jiuquan spaceport. The small solid-fuel rocket placed into orbit five satellites for various customers.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, September 12
ISRO’s ‘privatisation’ move: What India’s space policy says
Indian Express — 2:50 am ET (0650 GMT) After €387 million raise, The Exploration Company wins ESA’s “ALADDIN” cargo capsule contract worth €760 million
EU-Startups — 2:48 am ET (0648 GMT) French ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet: Europe must 'maximise scientific return' from ISS before closure
EuroNews — 2:47 am ET (0647 GMT) Finland Urges Musk To Allow Starlink Use Against Russia
Aviation Week — 2:45 am ET (0645 GMT) Florida makes case to host new US Space Academy
WESH-TV Orlando — 2:43 am ET (0643 GMT) |
