PhilSA: China rocket debris could have fallen near Rozul Reef

Philippine Space Agency (File Photo: Philippine Space Agency/Facebook)

MANILA – Debris from China’s rocket launch on Thursday could have fallen 28 nautical miles (NM) from Rozul Reef and 38 NM from Patag Island, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said.

China’s Long March 3B/E rocket was launched from the Xichang Satellite Center in Sichuan province at around 9:50 a.m.

In an advisory, PhilSA said although not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zones.

The debris could also float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts.

Earlier, PhilSA Director Marc Talampas said in the past, fishers would find the debris a day or several days after a rocket launch.

Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and faring, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space. Uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages is also possible.

PhilSA has urged the public to inform local authorities of sightings of suspected debris.

Finding the location of the debris is vital for the scientists so that they could determine the accuracy of estimated drop zones.

The public is warned against retrieving or coming in close contact with the debris as they may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.

PhilSA also advised the immediate washing of hands should they accidentally touch the debris