PhilSA warns of China's Long March 12 rocket debris falling near Palawan

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Wednesday urged the public to remain vigilant after debris from China’s Long March 12 rocket was projected to fall within Philippine archipelagic waters near Palawan following the vehicle’s launch from Hainan.

In an advisory, PhilSA said the Long March 12 rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, at around 10:45 a.m. Philippine time on June 17.

According to the agency, the rocket’s expected debris fall area lies within designated drop zones located about 25 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, and 19 nautical miles from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

“The Long March 12 drop zone is within Philippine archipelagic waters,” PhilSA said.

The agency said information about the rocket’s drop zone was disseminated through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued for the aerospace flight activity, with relevant government agencies and authorities notified ahead of the launch.

While the debris is not expected to fall on land or inhabited areas, PhilSA warned that it could pose hazards to ships, aircraft, fishing vessels and other craft traversing the area.

“There is also a possibility for the debris to float at sea and eventually wash ashore along nearby coastlines,” the agency said.

PhilSA added that the possibility of the rocket’s upper stages making an uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere cannot be ruled out.

The agency urged the public to immediately report any suspected rocket debris to local authorities and cautioned against retrieving, touching or handling any debris that may be found.

“These materials may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel,” PhilSA said.

PhilSA also noted that the increasing frequency of global space launches has heightened the risks posed by rocket debris and uncontrolled re-entries to aviation, maritime activities and communities on the ground.—MCG, GMA News