QQJILI Official
luckywin PhilSA warns public of fallen debris as China launches rocket into space
2025-02-17
A Long March 5 rocket, carrying the Chang’e-6 mission lunar probe, lifts off as it rains at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in southern China’s Hainan Province on May 3, 2024. (File photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has confirmed the launch of Long March 4A from the People’s Republic of China, as it warned the public of the rocket’s fallen debris.
“The Long March 8A rocket was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at around 5:30 p.m. on 11 February 2025,” the PhilSA said in an advisory on Tuesday night.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Debris from 2 Chinese rockets may have fallen in PH waters – PhilSA
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In its 5 a.m. forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Kristine’s maximum sustained winds reached 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, with gusts of up to 90 kph.
In a report, the state volcanologist noted that the event locally termed “pusngat” occurred from 9:14 a.m. to 9:23 a.m. and produced plumes reaching 1,500 high that drifted southeast.
The agency said that it had already informed relevant agencies about this before the launch.
Article continues after this advertisementIt likewise revealed that unburned debris from rockets — booster and faring — will be discarded as the rocket enters outer space.
Article continues after this advertisementPhilSA also warned that debris may have fallen “within the identified drop zones approximately 85 nautical miles (nm) away from Rozul Reef, 40 nm from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 33 nm away from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan.”
Article continues after this advertisement“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 advisory said.
“There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts,” it noted.
Article continues after this advertisement“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.
PhilSA urged the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted, cautioning against retrieving or coming in close contact with that may contain “remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.”
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