China cancels rocket launches after failures – but will the Long March-10A still lift off?
There are signs online that the launch window could remain be open for another test of a planned lunar heavy lifter
The Xiaoxiang Morning Herald reported on Friday that nearly all the rocket launches scheduled next month for the Wenchang space centre in the southern province of Hainan had been cancelled.
“Only the test flight for a new type of rocket on February 11 [remains],” the Changsha-based newspaper quoted a space port staff member as saying.
No official reason was given, but in a social media post, travel agency Muxi Holiday said three scheduled launches on February 9, 19 and 24 had been cancelled, forcing changes to trips to view the events.
The launches have become a tourist drawcard in Hainan and internet users had complained online that their plans to view the launches had been abruptly called off.