Chinese rocket carrying satellite explodes seconds after launch

A Chinese Long March 7A rocket, carrying the Zhongxing-4B (ChinaSat-4B) communications satellite, exploded approximately 85 seconds after liftoff on Monday, August 10, 2026. The launch, which took place from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan island, resulted in a fiery mid-air anomaly and the complete destruction of both the rocket and its payload.

State news agency Xinhua confirmed the failure, attributing it to an "in-flight anomaly" and stating that an investigation into the cause is currently underway. This incident marks a relatively rare setback for China's space program and is the second failure for the Long March 7A rocket since its inaugural flight in 2020. The satellite was intended to provide various communications services globally.