Chinese rocket struck by lightning during satellite launch PHOTO/VIDEO

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket was struck by lightning shortly after liftoff during the launch of the Tianlian-2 06 satellite on July 23, but the mission continued successfully.

The rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, with footage showing a lightning strike hitting the vehicle approximately 35 seconds into the flight. The discharge struck the nose cone before travelling along the rocket’s body and being directed into the ground through the engine jets, Caliber.Az reports per Chinese media. 

The rocket’s metallic structure acted as a Faraday cage, allowing the electrical current to flow mainly along the outer surface and protecting the equipment and payload inside from the effects of the strike.

Preliminary data indicated that the spacecraft’s systems were not damaged. The rocket’s lightning protection system helped shield the mission, which proceeded as planned and successfully placed the satellite into its designated orbit.

By Sabina Mammadli