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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PhilSA cautions public of potential risk from China's rocket launch debris

PhilSA cautions public of potential risk from China's rocket launch debris

Published Dec 16, 2023 05:24 am

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has issued an alert to the public regarding potential risks to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels passing through the drop zone as the People's Republic of China launched its Long March 5 Y6 (CZ 5 Y6) rocket.

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Photo credit to Unsplash.

On Dec. 15, PhilSA confirmed the launch around 9:43 pm on Dec. 15 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Wenchang.

Information about the rocket drop zone was revealed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), cautioning about an "aerospace flight activity."

"There is still the possibility that the remaining rocket debris may float around the area and may wash toward the nearby coasts in the future," PhilSA said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the identified drop zones were approximately 77 nautical miles away from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and 45 nautical miles away from Sta Ana, Cagayan.

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Estimated drop zones of the Long March 5 Y6 (CZ-5 Y6) rocket. (PhilSA)

Moreover, the agency informed the public to report to the local authorities if suspected debris is sighted.

"PhilSA also cautions against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel," PhilSA said.

Furthermore, Philsa pointed out that it shared a pre-launch report with relevant government agencies and authorities before the scheduled launch.

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