PhilSA warns of falling Chinese rocket debris near Palawan

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has warned of falling rocket debris near Puerto Princesa, Palawan, following a launch by China.

China launched a Long March 12 rocket from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center on November 10.

Debris from the launch was projected to fall within specific drop zones, approximately 29 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa and 20 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park.

PhilSA had previously disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies regarding this aerospace flight activity.

Unburned rocket debris, like boosters and fairings, are designed to be discarded during spaceflight.

While not expected to land on inhabited areas, the falling debris poses risks to maritime and air traffic passing through the drop zones.

The agency also cautioned that debris could drift and potentially reach nearby coastlines.