Rocket debris warning up anew

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) issued a debris warning after China launched another rocket yesterday afternoon.

The Long March 12 rocket took off at the Hainan International Commercial Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at 3:48 p.m.

It was the second rocket launched by China this year, next to the Long March 8A rocket, which took off at the same site on Jan. 13, PhilSA said.

The space agency said that parts of the rocket were projected to fall in the waters off Puerto Princesa in Palawan and in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

Details of the rocket drop zones were disclosed through a notice to airmen, warning of an aerospace flight activity, PhilSA said.

Copies of a pre-launch report were disseminated in relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the rocket launch.