This is the moment a village’s attempt to launch a ‘rural rocket’ into the stratosphere goes wrong when the ‘shuttle’ made of paper ends up destroyed by flames right after after its initially successful launch.
The launch vehicle was in fact a traditional sky lantern, which are banned in many regions in China due to the fact they are regarded as a fire and commercial flight risk.
Footage from the village of Wukeng in China’s eastern Fujian Province shows the lantern rocket dubbed ‘Wukeng 1’ being released into the sky.
The lantern, which works on the same principles as a hot-air balloon, rises swiftly into the sky, but their hopes of it becoming a successor to China’s successful Long March rocket family were quickly dashed when the suspended flame beneath fell out.
The fire can be seen falling to the ground, while the rural rocket strays off course and begins burning up in the sky, much to the laughter and entertainment of the villagers who launched it.
Social media users have criticised the villagers for flying the lantern dangerously close to power lines, and towards flammable forests nearby.
The local fire service has also urged members of the public not to attempt something similar.
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Story By: Scott Feng, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: AsiaWire
