PhilSA confirms Long March 7A rocket launch

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has confirmed the launch of the Long March 7A rocket from China.

In an advisory, PhilSA said expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones approximately 38 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte and 66 NM away from Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

PhilSA said the rocket was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, Hainan around 8:25 p.m., Manila time on Thursday.

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 faring, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space,” PhilSA said in its advisory.

“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,” it added.

PhilSA said 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,” the agency said, reiterating its advice for the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted.

“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 said.