China Startup's Kerosene-Powered Rocket Fails Test Flight

China's Deep Blue Aerospace has announced that its first-of-its-kind reusable kerosene-fueled rocket, Nebula-1, failed to complete a high-altitude vertical recovery test flight in the country's northern region of Inner Mongolia, crashing during the final stage, Joe Cash reported for Reuters.

As the Nebula-1 re-approached its launch pad, its landing system failed, causing it to touch down too hard, consequently snapping off the top portion as it fell to its side and causing fire damage to its exterior. I Photo: Deep Blue Aerospace

The private rocket startup stated that the spacecraft completed 10 of its 11 tasks, with its three thrusters igniting as usual and launching the Nebula-1 high into the sky.

Two of its engines then disengaged as planned, allowing the rocket to begin its descent. However, as the Nebula-1 re-approached its launch pad, its landing system failed, causing it to touch down too hard.

The impact resulted in the rocket's top portion snapping off as it fell to its side and caused fire damage to its exterior, as shown in pictures of the test.

Investors and rocket developers have indicated that alternative fuels such as kerosene, methane, and liquid oxygen could help reduce costs and enable rockets to launch in a cleaner and more efficient manner.

Several private Chinese rocket startups have tested various spacecraft over the past year, aiming to prepare their products for the growing demand in China's expanding commercial space industry.

This surge comes amid increasing competition to develop satellite constellations as an alternative to Elon Musk's Starlink.