The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) issued a public advisory confirming the morning launch of China’s Long March 7A rocket and alerting the maritime community to potential hazards from falling debris in nearby waters.
According to PhilSA, the expected impact zones for the rocket remnants are situated roughly 34 nautical miles (NM) from Bajo de Masinloc, 97 NM from Cabra Island in Occidental Mindoro, and 130 NM from Busuanga, Palawan. The rocket took off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, China.
The space agency urged all marine vessels and aircraft navigating these specific coordinates to remain highly vigilant.
“While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone,” the agency said.
“There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts. Additionally, the possibility of an uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time,” it added.
Citizens are strongly advised to alert local officials if they spot any suspicious floating objects.
PhilSA warned the public not to touch, approach, or attempt to recover any wreckage, noting that the remnants could be contaminated with highly hazardous materials like toxic rocket propellant.
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. confirmed that the Long March 7A was deployed to transport an experimental satellite into orbit. The liftoff represents the 46th space mission for China this year and the 653rd launch within the Long March rocket family.