Chinese space debris lands near Tubbataha, Palawan

MANILA, Philippines, August 5 ------ The Philippine Space Agency has confirmed that debris from a Chinese Long March 12 rocket fell within Philippine waters off Palawan. The rocket launched from China's Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang at approximately 6:21 PM Philippine time on Monday.

Expected debris was projected to have fallen in the identified drop zones located about 21 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 18 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the space agency said in an advisory. This falls within the contiguous zone or the exclusive economic zone within which the country has jurisdiction over marine resources.

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a marine protected area and world-renowned scuba diving site. Estimated to be over 97,000 hectares in size, the waters are also home to over 1,200 marine species. These rocket launches are part of China's rapidly expanding space program, driven by military ambitions, commercial interests, and plans to build massive satellite internet constellations that can, among others, compete with SpaceX's Starlink.

Earlier warnings. PhilSA earlier issued warnings about the rocket launch through a Notice to Airmen, or NOTAM, that flagged aerospace flight activity in the area. The agency sent pre-launch reports to relevant government agencies and authorities before the rocket launch.

According to PhilSA, unburned rocket components, including boosters and fairings are typically jettisoned as rockets enter outer space. While the debris was not projected to hit land or populated areas, officials had warned it poses risks to ships, aircraft, fishing vessels and other craft passing through the drop zone. The agency also cautioned that debris could float in the waters and potentially wash toward nearby coastlines. "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 space agency's advisory read.

Caution advised. PhilSA asked the public to inform local authorities if they see any suspected debris. However, it also cautioned them against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials, which may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.

Source: philstar.com