A Long March 3B rocket launched the Chinasat 2A telecommunications satellite May 26 from the Xichang space center in Sichuan province, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.
A 30-kilogram piece of the spent rocket fell in Hunan province, damaging houses and a high-voltage power line, disrupting electrical service to area homes shortly after midnight local time and causing at least one injury, China Daily reported May 28.
The launch, which occurred at 11:56 a.m. EDT (11:56 p.m. Beijing time), was China’s eighth space launch this year.
