PhilSA: Chinese rocket debris possibly fell near Palawan, Tubbataha Reefs

Debris from China’s Long March 12 rocket may have fallen within Philippine archipelagic waters near Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) warned Friday.

In an advisory, PhilSA said projections showed the rocket fragments likely fell about 23 nautical miles off Puerto Princesa and 21 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reefs, areas frequently traversed by fishing vessels and commercial aircraft.

The Long March 12 was launched on Friday morning around 7:00 a.m. (Manila time) from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, China. 

Ahead of the launch, China issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) identifying the drop zone of the rocket’s stages, information that PhilSA relayed to relevant Philippine authorities.

While the agency emphasized that the debris is unlikely to hit any landmass or populated area, it warned that falling rocket fragments still pose hazards.

“Falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone,” PhilSA said, noting that some debris could remain afloat and be carried by ocean currents toward nearby coastlines.

PhilSA also cautioned that an uncontrolled re-entry of the rocket’s upper stages remains possible, further underscoring the need for vigilance.

The agency urged the public to immediately report any suspected debris sightings to local authorities and warned against handling debris, citing potential exposure to toxic substances such as residual rocket fuel.

“PhilSA also cautions against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel,” it added. 

from China’s Long March 12 rocket may have fallen within Philippine archipelagic waters near Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) warned Friday.

In an advisory, PhilSA said projections showed the rocket fragments likely fell about 23 nautical miles off Puerto Princesa and 21 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reefs, areas frequently traversed by fishing vessels and commercial aircraft.

The Long March 12 was launched on Friday morning around 7:00 a.m. (Manila time) from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, China. 

Ahead of the launch, China issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) identifying the drop zone of the rocket’s stages, information that PhilSA relayed to relevant Philippine authorities.

While the agency emphasized that the debris is unlikely to hit any landmass or populated area, it warned that falling rocket fragments still pose hazards.

“Falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone,” PhilSA said, noting that some debris could remain afloat and be carried by ocean currents toward nearby coastlines.

PhilSA also cautioned that an uncontrolled re-entry of the rocket’s upper stages remains possible, further underscoring the need for vigilance.

The agency urged the public to immediately report any suspected debris sightings to local authorities and warned against handling debris, citing potential exposure to toxic substances such as residual rocket fuel.

“PhilSA also cautions against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel,” it added.