There is a “high likelihood” that the debris found in Busuanga, Palawan and Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro were unburned parts of China's Long March 5B rocket, said the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).
PhilSA specifically pointed out that the debris found in Palawan might be a “part of the rocket fairing” of Long March 5B. The debris sighted and retrieved off the waters of Occidental Mindoro, on the other hand, were also “part” of the aforementioned rocket component.
“The debris will be in the custody and disposal of the Philippine government. As of this time, PhilSA has not received reports of debris sighted near drop zone 1. PhilSA advises the public to immediately inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted, and cautions everyone against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials,” said the agency on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Earlier, in October, PhilSA warned of Chinese rocket debris – particularly identified as the “booster” and “rocket fairing.” It then notified the public about two possible drop zones.
“The booster had been projected to fall on drop zone 1, which is approximately 72 kilometers from Bajo de Masinloc. The fairing, meanwhile, was expected to fall on drop zone 2, which is approximately 39 kilometers from Busuanga, Palawan,” explained the agency.
Meanwhile, the agency underscored that they are coordinating with other space agencies and local government agencies to “reduce the risks of space debris” in the Philippines. Efforts, as pointed out by PhilSA, are continuously being sustained to “promote and encourage accountability” among nations for objects launched into space.