Lightning strikes Chinese rocket seconds after launch in unexpected turn: It continues its journey to space
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket was struck by lightning just 30 seconds after lifting off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
Last Thursday, July 23, a Chinese Long March 3B rocket was struck directly by lightning just 30 seconds after launching from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The rocket was carrying a communications relay satellite bound for geostationary orbit.
Launch succeeds despite the storm
The electrical discharge illuminated the rocket for a split second, but it did not alter its trajectory or damage critical systems, allowing it to continue uninterrupted. The Long March 3B successfully deployed the Tianlian-2 06 communications satellite into its planned orbit, where it will relay data for China’s Tiangong space station.
Why didn’t the lightning destroy the rocket?
Chinese specialists noted that Long March rockets are routinely equipped with advanced lightning protection systems designed to mitigate the risks associated with such natural phenomena during launch operations.
In fact, the rocket itself sometimes triggers the lightning strike. As it ascends at high speed, it leaves behind a column of ionized, electrically charged exhaust gases. This plume acts as a conductive pathway, making it easier for a charged cloud to discharge through the vehicle.
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