The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Tuesday confirmed that the People’s Republic of China launched another Long March 7 rocket, and its remnants likely showered down on Philippine territory.
According to the space agency, debris from the rocket launch probably fell approximately 33 nautical miles (62 kilometers) away from Bajo de Masinloc, 88 NM away from Cabra Island, Occidental Mindoro, 51 NM away from Recto Bank, and 118 NM away from Busuanga, Palawan.
The Long March 7 rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan, at around 5:34 AM PhST on July 15.
Details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity,” according to PhilSA.
PhilSA disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities before the launch.
Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and faring, is 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, the agency explained.
“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,” it added.
PhilSA reiterated its advice for the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted.
It also cautioned the public, including fishermen, against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.
Likewise, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) cautioned the public to stay alert for possible falling debris from the scheduled launch of China’s Long March 7 rocket.
