In China, rocket launches fuel tourism and space-age dreams

On a sweltering August night, thousands on China's Hainan island thronged the beaches around the Wenchang Space Launch Site, phones raised, waiting for a show.Shortly after 8 p.m., the Long March 7A rocket blasted off. The crowd roared as its ascent lit up the night sky.Moments later, the uncrewed rocket turned into a ball of fire in midair, an unforeseen blast confirmed by Chinese state media a few hours afterwards.Many appeared unaware of what had happened, as the fiery spectacle sent the beach crowd into a frenzy."Wow!" many people called out in a collective cheer.Rocket launches are be…READ FULL ARTICLE