Pinoys warned vs China rocket debris anew   

MANILA, Philippines — Another advisory has been issued regarding the estimated drop zones for unburned debris from the Long March 7A rocket that China launched yesterday morn-ing.

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said the rocket took off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on Hainan Island at around 6 a.m.
PhilSA said the rocket’s unburned debris would have two drop zones.

Drop zone area 1 is located 79.88 kilometers off Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and 121.31 kms off Dalupiri Island in the Babuyan Group of Islands.

Drop zone area 2 is located 41.69 kms off Sta. Ana, Cagayan; 41.37 kms off Camiguin Island, and 47.84 kms off Babuyan Islands.

PhilSA mapped out the drop zones in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

Prior to the rocket launch, the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued a NOTAM or notice to airmen regarding the aerospace flight activity.

Unburned debris such as the booster and faring are discarded once the rocket enters outer space.

While the debris is not projected to hit land or inhabited areas, it can pose danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels that pass through the drop zones.

There is also a possibility that the debris will float around the area and be washed ashore, PhilSA said in the advisory.

The possibility of an uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time, the agency added.

It reiterated its earlier advice for the public to inform local authorities of any sighting of suspected debris.
PhilSA warned people against retrieving or coming in close contact with the debris as these may contain remnants of toxic substances like rocket fuel.