Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 31) — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has advised the public to be on the lookout for possible falling debris from a Chinese rocket launched Monday.
In an advisory, PhilSA said China’s Long March 5B was launched at 3:37 p.m. (Philippine Time) from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan Island. It is bearing the Mengtian laboratory module for China’s Tiangong space station, a research center being built by China in orbit.
According to PhilSA, the Civil Aviation Administration of China notified the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines that “expected unburned debris” may drop within two zones: approximately 72 kilometers from Bajo de Masinloc and approximately 39 kilometers from Busuanga, Palawan.
The unburned debris, or parts of the rocket designed to be discarded as it enters outer space, are calculated to shed over bodies of water to minimize the risk of falling in populated areas, PhilSA said.
However, it warned that the falling debris still poses a considerable risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that would pass through the drop zones.
PhilSA reiterates its previous public advisory to notify local authorities immediately if suspected debris is seen. PhilSA also advises against picking up or getting too close to any of these materials as they may still contain harmful remains, such as rocket fuel.
