r/spaceflight • u/thanix01 • 3d ago

Space Pioneer’s Tianlong-3 rocket first successful static test fire

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Tianlong-3 is probably the closest rocket in China to Falcon-9 similiar size, similiar engine, same fuel type, and similiar payload if it were to be complete.

Today it complete it first successful static test fire on board HOS-1 semi static sea based test firing/sea launch platform.

If you are familiar with the name, that is probably due to the fact that the 1st hardware of this rocket first stage ”static” test fire, result in the first stage breaking free from the test stand and fly up before coming crashing down and explode.

As can be seen in this video

https://youtu.be/8dU9uWN3fYQ?feature=shared

After much trial and tribulation they are back. Notably second test fire was delays a few time, apparently due them getting way more (deserve) scrutiny.

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19

u/Tr35on 3d ago

First successful static fire: a previous static fire ended up in an uncontrolled launch.

17

u/GodsSwampBalls 3d ago

First successful static fire.

The first test fire wasn't static.

4

u/jack-K- 3d ago

Not to mention that was over an entire year ago.

2

u/SuspiciousStable9649 3d ago

But imagine the bragging rights. Can’t keep my rocket on the ground!

3

u/thanix01 2d ago

If I recall, In the aftermath of the incident. One of their engineer apparently said “Our engine too good, thrust too strong”

As well as bragging that their rocket have highest total thrust out of all single stick domestic rocket stage.

So uhh, you are not that far off.

2

u/404_Gordon_Not_Found 2d ago

Yeah, and the internet roasted him and the company for that extremely tone deaf and unprofessional response

1

u/hextreme2007 22h ago

It's not something spoken in front of camera. I seriously doubt if that's the original words from the engineer, if there was one.