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Space Pioneer’s Falcon 9 Rival Fails on Maiden Flight

Published: Apr. 4, 2026 12:25 a.m. GMT+8

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A Tianlong-3 large liquid-propellant launch vehicle is on display at the Space Pioneer booth during the 2025 Shanghai National Defense Science and Technology Industry Equipment and Information Technology Expo in Shanghai on April 12, 2025. Photo: VCG

Chinese commercial space startup Space Pioneer failed in the maiden flight of its Tianlong-3 rocket on April 3 due to an in-flight anomaly.

The setback highlights the technical hurdles facing China’s private space sector as it races to develop large, reusable rockets essential for deploying the country's planned low-Earth orbit satellite mega constellations.

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Space Pioneer's Tianlong-3 maiden flight failed on April 3 due to in-flight anomaly from Dongfeng site.
Reusable rocket rivals Falcon 9, hauls 22t to LEO with 9 LOX-kerosene engines, reusable 20x; follows June 2024 test crash.
Underscores challenges for China's private sector reusable rockets vital for IPOs, 28,000+ LEO satellites; rivals eye Q2 flights.

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Who’s Who

Space Pioneer: Space Pioneer (Tianbing Technology), founded in 2019 by ex-state engineer Kang Yonglai, failed Tianlong-3's maiden flight on April 3 due to an in-flight anomaly. The reusable rocket rivals Falcon 9 (22t to LEO, 9 LOX-kerosene engines, 20 reuses). Valued at $3B, raised $903M+. Prior Tianlong-2 success (2023); June 2024 ground test mishap.

SpaceX: SpaceX's Falcon 9 is the reusable rocket that China's Tianlong-3, developed by Space Pioneer, is designed to rival, with capabilities for 22 tons to low-Earth orbit.

Galactic Energy: Galactic Energy, a rival to Space Pioneer, is targeting a maiden flight for its medium-to-large liquid-fueled rocket in Q2 this year.

Deep Blue Aerospace: Deep Blue Aerospace is a rival to Space Pioneer, targeting a maiden flight for its medium-to-large liquid-fueled rocket in Q2 this year.

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