Philsa issues advisory on estimated debris drop from China’s satellite

THE Philippine Space Agency (Philsa) issued a precautionary advisory on the expected drop in the country’s territory of unburned debris from China’s Long March 3B rocket scheduled for launch on December 29 between 12:33 p.m. and 01:10 p.m. Philippine time

The launching was from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Xichang, Sichuan Province, China, Philsa said in a news release.

Philsa said that upon confirmation of planned launch dates, it immediately issued an advisory to all relevant government agencies on the estimated drop zone area and proposed the issuance of appropriate warnings on air and marine access.

Based on the Notice to Airmen issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, “expected unburned debris, such as the rocket boosters and payload fairing, are projected to fall within a drop zone area located within the vicinity of Recto bank, approximately 137 kilometers from Ayungin Shoal and 200 kilometers from Quezon, Palawan,” Philsa said.

The unburned debris is designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space.

Philsa explained that “while not projected to fall on land or inhabited areas within the Philippine territory, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone.”

It added that the actual drop zone area may change because of various factors, such as the Earth’s rotation, weather, and climate conditions.

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

Philsa reiterates its earlier public advisory to immediately inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted.

It also cautions the public against retrieving or coming in close contact with the materials that “may contain remnants of toxic substances, such as rocket fuel.”