The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Tuesday confirmed the launch of China’s Long March 7A rocket and warned of possible falling debris within Philippine waters.
The rocket, which lifted off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan at around 10:00 a.m. Philippine Standard Time, was projected to have discarded parts over drop zones near northern Luzon.
In a statement on Tuesday, the PhilSA said debris may have fallen about 58 nautical miles (NM) from Dalupiri Island, Cagayan; 37 NM from Burgos, Ilocos Norte; 92 NM from Camiguin Norte, Cagayan; and 79 NM from Santa Ana, Cagayan.
While debris was not expected to hit land or inhabited areas, PhilSA said rocket parts, such as discarded boosters and fairings, still pose risks to vessels passing through the affected waters, it pointed out.
There is also the possibility of debris floating toward nearby coasts or, in rare cases, uncontrolled re-entry of upper rocket stages from space.
PhilSA noted that details of the drop zones were shared ahead of the launch through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of “aerospace flight activity.”
The agency said it also coordinated with government agencies and local authorities prior to the event.
The public has been advised to immediately report any suspected debris sighting to authorities and to avoid retrieving or handling the materials, which may contain toxic substances such as rocket fuel.
