PhilSA warns of debris after Chinese rocket launch

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has issued a rocket debris advisory after midnight yesterday after the launch of another rocket by China.

In the advisory, PhilSA confirmed the launch of the Long March 7A rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at around 12:05 a.m., March 30.

“Expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones approximately ~64 NM (nautical miles) away from Dalupiri Island, Cagayan, ~41 NM away from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, ~79 NM away from Camiguin Norte, Cagayan, and ~66 NM away from Santa Ana, Cagayan,” PhilSA said in the advisory.

PhilSA said it had furnished the details on the rocket drop zone in a notice to airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity.”

It had also disseminated a pre-launch report to government agencies and authorities prior to the launch.

Sunday’s event was China’s second rocket launch this year, the first being the Long March 8A rocket last Feb. 11.

PhilSA said that 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.

“There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts. 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,” PhilSA said.

PhilSA reiterated that the public should inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted. It cautioned against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.