China’s rocket launch moved to Monday

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said that China’s Long March 12 rocket launch, initially scheduled on Friday, was moved to Monday, Nov. 9.

In an advisory, the Coast Guard District Palawan (CGDP) advised mariners to take note on the new launch date of China’s rocket between 4:17 a.m. and 4:47 a.m. (Philippine standard time) on Monday.

It warned that rocket debris discarded during lift off are expected to fall within identified maritime drop zones 25 nautical miles (nm) away from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and 19 nm away from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

READ: PhilSA confirms China’s Long March 12 rocket launch

The identified drop zone is located within Philippine archipelagic waters. The CGDP warned that the debris’ potential impact may pose a threat to vessels transiting or operating within the affected areas.

It added that the rocket debris is not projected to plummet over the country’s landmass or inhabited areas. 

“All concerned mariners and maritime stakeholders are strongly advised to exercise heightened vigilance, avoid navigating within the identified drop zone during the specified period, and monitor official announcements and navigational warnings for further updates,” it said in the advisory.

Based on the Philippine Space Agency’s memorandum, the initial launch was originally set on Friday, between 5:10 a.m. and 5:39 a.m. (PhST) from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, China. /mr

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