Debris from fresh China rocket launch may have fallen near Tubbataha Reef, PhilSA warns. PhilSA
MANILA — China on Thursday morning conducted a fresh rocket launch whose debris may have fallen near the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park off Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) warned Thursday.
China launched the Long March 12 rocket from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, at around 8:32 a.m. Thursday, PhilSA said.
It noted that the expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen approximately 25 nautical miles away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 19 nautical miles away from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a protected marine area in the Philippines that lies in the center of the Sulu Sea.
The falling debris is not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas but poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that may pass through the drop zone, the space bureau said, noting the possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts.
It also warned that it could not rule out the possibility of an "uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket's upper stages returning from outer space."
Some residents in Puerto Princesa posted on social media about hearing supposed loud explosions and seeing an exhaust plume.
"As global launch rates continue to accelerate, debris shed during staging events and the uncontrolled re-entry of large rocket upper stages pose growing hazards—not only to other spacecraft, but to civil aviation and to populations on the ground," said PhilSA.
"The Philippines invites international partners to explore how our region can develop coordinated protocols and capabilities that protect both our space assets and our people on the ground."
The public is advised to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted, said PhilSA, which also cautioned against retrieving or coming in close contact with any suspected rocket debris because they might contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.
The Western Naval Command of the Philippine Navy in February this year signed a deal with the Tubbataha Management Office to further strengthen maritime protection and environmental conservation efforts in the Sulu Sea.
The memorandum of understanding provided for the establishment of a Naval Monitoring Detachment at the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Ranger Station to enhance patrols, surveillance and rapid response in the area. —With a report from Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News