PhilSA identifies debris zones from China’s rocket launch

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has pinpointed the country’s territorial waters where debris from the Long March 7A rocket launch fell early Sunday.

PhilSA has projected the debris from the rocket launch to have fallen within specific drop zones in Philippine waters.

“Expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones approximately ~64NM away from Dalupiri Island, Cagayan, ~41 NM away from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, ~79NM away from Camiguin Norte, Cagayan, and ~66 NM away from Santa Ana, Cagayan,” it said in an advisory.

The Long March 7A rocket was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at around 12:05 a.m. Philippine Standard Time (PhST) on 30 March 2025.

“Details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an 'aerospace flight activity,” PhilSA said.

It noted the sending of pre-launch reports to concerned government agencies and authorities prior to the rocket blast-off.

PhilSA said unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space.

While the debris is not expected to fall in land areas with populations, PhilSA warned that fallen debris may pose a risk to maritime traffic, including ships, fishing boats, and aircraft operating in or passing through these zones.

“There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts,” it added.

PhilSA also cited the potential hazards of handling the debris, as it could still contain hazardous substances such as rocket fuel.

“Additionally, the possibility of an uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time,” it said.

PhilSA urged the public to report any suspected debris sightings to local authorities.

It also cautioned against handling or approaching these materials, as they may still contain traces of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.