PhilSA warns of debris from China rocket

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has warned the public of unburned debris from the Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched yesterday in Sichuan province, China.

In an advisory issued yesterday, PhilSA urged people to immediately inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted.

It cautioned the public against retrieving or coming in close contact with debris materials, which may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.

There was unburned debris from the rocket launched yesterday between 12:33 p.m. and 1:10 p.m. (Philippine time) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Xichang, Sichuan province, China, PhilSA said.

A notice to airmen issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines had warned of debris such as the rocket boosters and payload fairing, projected to fall within a drop zone area within the vicinity of Recto bank, approximately 137 kilometers from Ayungin Shoal and 200 kilometers from Quezon, Palawan.

“The unburned debris is designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space. While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas within the Philippine territory, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone,” PhilSA said.

The agency, however, said the actual drop zone area might change because of various factors such as the Earth’s rotation, weather and climate conditions.

“There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts. Furthermore, 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.