Landspace spun the mishap by claiming that that Zhuque-1 had "already completed" the mission before it even left the launchpad, but didn't explain why. It's also not clear what steps the company will take next.

China has been focused on creating a world-class space program ever since 2012, and private companies have played a role in that since 2014. The US had a head start through outfits like SpaceX and Blue Origin, though, and there's a distinct contrast between the two countries' strategies. Where American companies are typically competing on government contracts, the Chinese government can have more of a direct say. OneSpace's program has received funding from the government-supported Aviation Industry Corporation, for instance. While going private promises to be more flexible and affordable than the official option, companies aren't likely to be as independent as they are in the US.