The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Thursday said that debris from China’s rocket launch this morning may fall within identified drop zones (DZs) located in the waters off Northern Luzon, posing a danger to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels traversing the area.
The debris from the Long March 6A rocket, launched at around 9:00 a.m., is expected to fall within the identified DZs, approximately 83 nautical miles (NM) from Dalupiri Island, Cagayan; 88 NM from Babuyan Island; and 104 NM from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, PhilSA said.
It added that the drop zone is within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
“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,” PhilSA said in a statement.
The rocket was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Xinzhou, Shanxi Province, China.
The agency said that details of the rocket’s drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity.” PhilSA provided a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the rocket launch.
PhilSA warned that the debris from the rocket may float in the area and wash ashore along nearby coasts.
It is also not ruling out the possibility that the rocket’s upper stages may undergo an uncontrolled re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere from outer space.
The agency called on the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted. It also cautioned against retrieving or coming into close contact with the debris, as it may contain toxic substances such as rocket fuel.
Amid the accelerating global launch rate, PhilSA said the country is calling on international partners to explore how the region can establish coordinated protocols and capabilities to protect both space assets and people on the ground. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
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