China Rocket Breaks Apart, Ends Up as 300-Piece of Space Junk After Satellite Constellation Launch

New Delhi: China's Long March 6A rocket has broken apart in low Earth orbit, generating over 300 pieces of trackable debris, the U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) announced. The rocket's upper stage disintegrated shortly after successfully delivering 18 Qianfan satellites to an altitude of about 800 kilometers.

"USSPACECOM can confirm the breakup of a Long March 6A rocket launched on Aug. 6, 2024, resulting in over 300 pieces of trackable debris in low Earth orbit," the organization stated. Despite the debris cloud, "USSPACECOM has observed no immediate threats and continues to conduct routine conjunction assessments to support the safety and sustainability of the space domain."

The incident occurred following the successful launch of the Qianfan satellites on August 6, 2024, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province, China. These satellites are part of China's ambitious Qianfan project, which aims to establish a broadband network similar to Elon Musk's Starlink.

Launched in 2023, the Qianfan project envisions a network of over 15,000 low Earth orbit satellites by 2030, offering global communication services. The initial launch of 18 satellites marks a significant step in achieving this goal.

China's space program has made significant strides, including crewed missions, a space station in orbit, and a lunar rover. The country has also developed the Beidou satellite system as an alternative to the U.S.-led GPS system. Meanwhile, SpaceX's Starlink, the primary competitor, currently operates more than 6,000 satellites and serves over 3 million customers globally.