The Philippine Space Agency on Friday cautioned that debris from China’s Long March 8A rocket launch may have landed in Philippine waters.
In an advisory, PhilSA said parts of the Chinese rocket debris were projected to have fallen in the following areas:
First drop zone within the Philippine exclusive economic zone
- 108 nautical miles (NM) away from El Nido, Palawan
- 126 NM away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan
- 90 NM away from Rozul Reef
Second drop zone within Philippine archipelagic waters
- 32 NM away from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan
- 42 NM away from Pangutaran Island, Sulu
- 46 NM away from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
According to PhilSA, the Long March 8A rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan at around 7:26 a.m. on Friday (Manila time).
The information on the rocket’s drop zone was released via a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to alert aircraft operators about the “aerospace flight activity.”
Prior to China’s rocket launch, PhilSA circulated a pre-launch advisory to concerned government bodies and officials.
The agency said the fragments from the Chinese rocket are not expected to hit any landmass or populated locations.
However, PhilSA warned that the falling debris could endanger ships, planes, fishing vessels, and other craft that will traverse the drop zone.
“PhilSA reiterates its advice for the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted,” the agency said. Rex Espirirtu
“PhilSA also cautions against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel,” it added.
