The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) issued a warning on Thursday regarding possible remnants from the launch of a Chinese rocket that may have fallen near features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
According to PhilSA, rocket debris was projected to have landed within identified drop zones approximately 28 nautical miles from Rozul Reef and 38 nautical miles from Patag Island.
While not expected to impact land features or inhabited areas directly, the falling debris poses a significant danger to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels traversing the drop zone, the agency emphasized.
“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,” the agency said.
PhilSA cautioned that the debris could drift in the area and potentially wash up on nearby coastlines. It urged the public to avoid retrieving or approaching the materials due to potential contamination with toxic substances like rocket fuel.
Furthermore, PhilSA highlighted the possibility of uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space, noting that this scenario cannot be ruled out at present.
The warning comes after China’s launch of a Long March 3B/E rocket on Thursday morning to deploy a new satellite into space. The rocket took off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province.
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