Chinese rocket debris may have fallen near Palawan, Tubbataha Reef, Basilan —PhilSA

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Thursday warned that debris from China’s Long March 8A rocket launch may have fallen in the waters near Palawan, Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, and Basilan.

In an advisory, PhilSA said the Chinese rocket debris was projected to have fallen in the following areas: 

• 118 nautical miles away from El Nido, Palawan
• 137 NM away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan
• 45 NM away from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park
• 34 NM away from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan

PhilSA said the Long March 8A rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan at around 9:33 a.m. on Thursday (Manila time).

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 poses 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 is possible, the agency said.

“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. —VAL, GMA Integrated News