On this day, 29 years ago, on February 15, 1996 (December 27, 1995 in the lunar calendar), the first launch of the Long March 3B carrier rocket failed, killing 8 and injuring 57. On February 15, 1996, the new Long March 3B high-thrust launch vehicle launched the International Communications Satellite 708 for the first time. Due to the failure of an electronic component, the inertial reference was tilted, and the rocket corrected its attitude according to the wrong attitude signal. As a result, the rocket hit the ground and exploded 22 seconds after flying. Both satellites and rockets were destroyed, and the launch failed, resulting in 8 deaths and 57 injuries. It was a major accident in the history of China's aerospace industry. The Long March 3B Xichang Satellite Launch Center is a launch site that has witnessed the leap and success of China's aerospace industry time and time again. It is the main battlefield for commercial space missions among my country's four major space launch sites, and it is also a blessed land for my country's deep space exploration. The Chang'e satellites of my country's lunar exploration project all travel to the moon from here. However, failures and setbacks have also been encountered here. On February 15, 1996, the Xichang Satellite Launch Center welcomed the launch of an international commercial satellite. This was also the first flight of my country's Long March 3B. This was originally a safe launch at that time, but the final result was unexpected. Everyone on site was surprised. At the entrance of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, there is such an open space. This is where the rocket fell after the Changshan Third B failed its first flight in 1996. Twenty years later, this place is still like a healed scar, recording the failure of China's aerospace industry that day and the difficult growth of China's aerospace industry. Find out the reason Li Jinghong, deputy chief designer of the 3A series rocket of the First Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group: The rocket took off from the tower and flew directly on the hillside. We saw barbed wire, nearby. There was an explosion on it. In front of this collaboration building, I saw our President Long. He was sitting on a wooden box, very worried. Because this is a very important launch for our model, and it is also very important for our Long March rocket. Academician Long Lehao, chief designer of the launch vehicle series of the First Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation: Because of February 15, 1996. Because of hard work at that time, because we finally won a launch service contract from the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization and launched an American satellite. It was the first time that our rocket series launched a foreign satellite, which was broadcast live around the world. Of course, they were full of confidence before launch, and they were completely aware of it. There were no people who dared not launch casually. According to regulations, it should take 12 seconds to turn. After the last take-off, it started turning in 3 seconds and slowly tilted. By 6 seconds, it was already tilted past that and passed the top of the launch tower. I kept asking why? Why? Why? I have been thinking since then, is the design wrong? Is it a manufacturing defect or something else? Find out the reason quickly. For these reasons, Long Lehao and the developers lit candles and turned on emergency lights, and began to seek answers overnight. Some people said that Long Lehao's head turned white that night. Academician Long Lehao, chief designer of the launch vehicle series of the First Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation: It should be said that that night was quite difficult. The job was data, data, sorting data, and analyzing data. My head turned white overnight, which is a bit of a literary exaggeration. It is true that at that time, my hair became snow-white even deeper. The development team went through such a tormenting night for more than a month. In the end, the reason for the launch failure came true. The problem lies in a solder joint. Academician Long Lehao, chief designer of the launch vehicle series of the First Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation: The quality of a manufacturing process may be defective. What is the diameter of two different metals welded together? Only a few tenths of our hair showed signs of detachment three seconds before takeoff. As soon as the 1802 rocket ignited and vibrated, the wire and node soon opened. The tragic accident had a serious impact on the entire aerospace industry, causing China's foreign commercial launch business to fall to the bottom, and also allowing rocket developers to re-understand the complexity and rigor of aerospace engineering. Academician Long Lehao, chief designer of the launch vehicle series of the First Hospital of Long Lehao Aerospace Science and Technology Group: Failure is almost success, and success is almost failure. If this wire is extended for another 1500 seconds, it will break down again, that is, 25 minutes. Around, this launch was absolutely very beautiful and a complete success. Unfortunately, it was only about 1500 seconds away.