Incredible Video Shows Chinese Rocket Get Hit by Lightning Mid-Launch

A Long March-3B rocket was struck by lightning about 30 seconds after liftoff from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Chinese officials said the rocket kept going, reached orbit, and successfully deployed its communications relay satellite.

The incident is a reminder that lightning is a real launch hazard and that weather criteria matter for mission safety.

Past cases like Apollo 12 and Atlas-Centaur 67 show that rockets can sometimes survive lightning strikes.