PhilSA: Chinese rocket debris may have fallen near Cagayan, Ilocos Norte

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has warned that debris from China’s Long March 7A rocket launch may have fallen in the waters near some towns and islands in Cagayan and Ilocos Norte. 

“Expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones approximately 58 nautical miles away from Dalupiri Island, Cagayan, 37 NM away from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, 92 NM away from Camiguin Norte, Cagayan, and 79 NM Santa Ana, Cagayan,” PhilSA said in an advisory on Tuesday. 

In an advisory on Tuesday, PhilSA said the Long March 7A rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at around 10:00 a.m. (Manila time) on Tuesday. 

Details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an ‘aerospace flight activity.’ 

PhilSA said that before the launch, the agency disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities. 

The agency said the Chinese rocket debris are not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas. 

However, PhilSA warned that falling debris pose danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone. 

According to PhilSA, debris may also float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts. 

An uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time, it added. 

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

“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.—AOL, GMA Integrated News