The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has warned against a Chinese rocket fallout into waters off northern mainland Luzon.
In an advisory issued over the weekend, PhilSA said debris from the Long March 5 rocket launch was projected to have fallen approximately “69 nautical miles (NM) away from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, 94 NM away from Dalupiri Island, Cagayan; 117 NM away from Santa Ana, Cagayan, and 130 NM away from Camiguin Norte.”
Both drop zones are within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), PhilSA said.
The Long March 5 rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan, at around 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 20,(Saturday).
PhilSA said details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen warning of an “aerospace flight activity.”
PhilSA disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the launch.
Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, are technically 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,” said PhilSA.
The agency added that there was also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts.
“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.
‘No damage reported’: Philippine Navy on alert after Chinese rocket launch
PhilSA reiterated its public advisory to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted.
The agency also cautioned against retrieving or coming in close contact with the rocket materials because they may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.
The Dec. 20 launch was one of many rocket-related Chinese activities that affect different parts of the Philippines.
