PhilSA cautions on rocket debris in PH EEZ after China launch
(Courtesy: PhilSA)
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) cautioned the public on rocket debris that may be found within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) following China's latest rocket launch on Monday, May 11.
"Expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zone: approximately 34 NM [nautical miles] away from Bajo de Masinloc, 97 NM away from Cabra Island, Occidental Mindoro, and 130 NM away from Busuanga, Palawan within the Philippine EEZ," said the agency in an advisory.
PhilSA explained that while unburned debris from rockets are discarded and not projected to fall on land or inhabited areas, falling debris still pose dangers and potential risks to ships, aircraft, and other vessels within the drop zone.
"There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts," it added.
Moreover, the agency called on the public to inform local authorities on any suspected rocket debris sighted.
The public is also warned to refrain from coming into close contact with the debris as they may contain traces of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.
The Long March-7 rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, China at 8:14 a.m.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the rocket, carrying cargo craft Tianzhou-10, was sent to deliver supplies for China's orbiting Tiangong space station, including "one extravehicular spacesuit, consumables for the crew's on-orbit stay, propellants, and payloads for scientific experiments."
PhilSA said they have disclosed details of the rocket drop zone through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity," and have also sent a pre-launch report to government agencies and authorities.