The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has issued a warning regarding debris from a recent Chinese rocket launch, which may pose a danger to ships, aircraft, and other vessels in the area.
The debris from the Long March 6A rocket is expected to fall within identified drop zones (DZs) located in the waters off Northern Luzon, approximately 83 nautical miles from Dalupiri Island, Cagayan; 88 nautical miles from Babuyan Island; and 104 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte.
The drop zone is situated within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and, despite not projecting to fall on land features or inhabited areas, poses a danger to passing ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels.
The rocket was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China, and the agency has disclosed details of the drop zone through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an aerospace flight activity.
PhilSA has also warned that the debris may float in the area and wash ashore along nearby coasts, and that the agency is not ruling out the possibility that the rocket's upper stages may undergo an uncontrolled re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.
The agency has called on the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted and has cautioned against retrieving or coming into close contact with the debris, as it may contain toxic substances such as rocket fuel.
PhilSA is also advocating for the establishment of coordinated protocols and capabilities to protect both space assets and people on the ground, given the accelerating global launch rate.
