PhilSa warns of expected debris from China rocket launch

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 18)— Debris from the Long March 7 rocket fired by China was expected to have fallen near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said on Thursday.

The Long March 7 was launched on Wednesday from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan, China.

«Expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones» PhilSA said in an advisory. It identified the three drop zones as approximately 43 nautical miles (NM), 40 NM, and 52 NM away from Bajo de Masinloc (as well as 98 NM from Cabra Island in Occidental Mindoro).

“Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and faring, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space. While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone,” PhilSA warned.

The agency also said debris could possibly float toward nearby coastal areas.

“Additionally, the possibility of an uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time,” it said.

It advised the public to inform authorities if they have seen suspected debris, and not to go near or retrieve any fallen materials as these may have toxic chemicals.

PhilSA said it also disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities.

The agency said details of the rocket drop zones were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity.”