PhilSA says debris from China rocket launch expected to fall in PH waters

MANILA — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Saturday confirmed that China has launched a Long March 12 rocket, with its debris projected to fall in the country’s archipelagic waters.

In a statement, PhilSA said the Long March 12 rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan early morning on Saturday.

“Expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zone: approximately 25 nautical miles away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 19 nautical miles away from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park,” PhilSA said.

“This drop zone is within Philippine archipelagic waters,” the agency added.

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a protected marine area in the Philippines that lies in the center of the Sulu Sea.

According to PhilSA, the debris from the rocket launch are not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas. Nonetheless, they still pose danger and potential risks to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone.

The agency also warned that debris may wash towards nearby coasts, and noted that there is the “possibility of an uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages.”

The public should inform local authorities if they see suspected debris, PhilSA said, and warned against coming into close contact or touching the materials.

“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,” PhilSA said.

“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.”