China’s rocket debris may fall into water near Cagayan, Ilocos Norte

FILE PHOTO: Timeline of China’s Long March 5B rocket reentry. Photo from Philippine Space Agency

MANILA, Philippines — Debris from a Chinese rocket may fall into the water near Cagayan and Ilocos Norte, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA ) said in an advisory released on Tuesday night.

PhilSA said the Civil Aviation Administration of China gave notice that rocket debris from its Long March 7A (CZ-7A) could land within Philippine territory.

According to PhilSA’s advisory, the first drop zone of China’s rocket debris is approximately 71 kilometers off Burgos, Ilocos Norte, while the second drop zone is approximately 52 kilometers off Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

“While debris from CZ-7A is unlikely to fall on land features or inhabited areas in the Philippine territory, falling debris still poses a considerable threat to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zones,” the PhilSA said.

In July, the core stage debris of China’s Long March 5B rocket landed on Philippine waters in uncontrolled reentry.

One of its debris was found floating in the West Philippine Sea by local fishermen, while a torn sheet of metal was found around 160 kilometers off the coast of Mamburao in Occidental Mindoro.

READ: Chinese rocket debris found near Mindoro Strait

“In the case of Long March 7A, the possibility of a similar uncontrolled reentry of the rocket’s upper stages cannot be ruled out at this time,” PhilSA also said.

The country’s space agency then urged the public to immediately inform local authorities if suspected floating debris is sighted at sea, also warning them against retrieving or approaching said materials.

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