Tianbing Technology is making steady progress on the second flight test vehicle (遥二) of its Tianlong-3 carrier rocket, following a thorough root cause analysis of the anomaly that occurred during the first flight. The company has completed final assembly and testing for the upcoming mission, with a targeted return to flight in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Refined Technology for a Reliable Launch
The Tianlong-3 rocket’s first flight test, conducted on April 3, 2026, at the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Experimental Zone, encountered an issue during ascent. The root cause was identified as liquid oxygen leakage, which was aspirated into the rocket’s base. This led to secondary combustion of turbine exhaust gas from the first-stage engine at the base, causing thermal protection skirt connection failure. Consequently, high-temperature engine exhaust gas entered the first-stage tail compartment, triggering a fire and resulting in the mission’s failure.
In response, Tianbing Technology has implemented rigorous corrective measures. These improvements have been validated through ground testing and are reported to meet the requirements for a successful flight test. An expert group has reviewed the findings, confirming that the problem was accurately pinpointed, the mechanism is clearly understood, the fault has been reproduced, and the implemented solutions are effective. The team has also conducted further investigations to prevent similar issues in the future, leading to the conclusion that the incident has been “zeroed out” (归零), meaning the problem has been fully addressed and resolved.
Focus on Performance and Iteration
Zhang Jianhong, Deputy General Manager and Assistant Chief Designer of the Rocket Research and Development Department at Tianbing Technology, emphasized the company’s commitment to not compromising rocket performance for the sake of ensuring a successful launch. “The industry is still in a phase of continuous technical verification and rapid iteration,” Zhang stated. “The window of opportunity is still open. This window isn’t something we wait for; we seize it by meticulously executing design, testing, verification, and quality control measures, step by step.”
This approach underscores Tianbing Technology’s philosophy of continuous improvement and learning from flight test experiences. While the first flight did not go as planned, the detailed analysis and subsequent modifications are expected to enhance the reliability and performance of the Tianlong-3 rocket for its subsequent missions.
Scheduled Return to Flight
The completed 遥二 vehicle is now undergoing final preparations. The specific launch date in the fourth quarter of 2026 will be determined based on the availability of optimal launch windows, ensuring the best possible conditions for the mission’s success. The successful return to flight of the Tianlong-3 rocket will be a significant milestone for Tianbing Technology and a testament to their dedication to advancing China’s commercial space capabilities.
Tianbing Technology aims to establish the Tianlong-3 as a reliable and capable launch vehicle for a growing commercial space market. The company’s transparent reporting of the anomaly and their methodical approach to resolving the issue have been noted within the industry, fostering confidence in their technical expertise and operational discipline.
