No risk from Chinese space lab debris, says UAE agency

A Chinese space laboratory that will burn up when it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere poses no risk to UAE residents or buildings, the country’s space agency said yesterday.

China’s Tiangong-1 Space Laboratory is expected to re-enter the planet’s atmosphere in early April, between 43 degrees north and south latitude, over a region that includes most Arab countries.

The UAE Space Agency denied rumours that the falling debris would be dangerous because it contains harmful chemicals and materials.

In February, the space agency said it was monitoring the laboratory with the International Astronomical Centre. Their reports indicated that the debris would be rendered harmless when it breaks apart as a result of atmospheric friction, before reaching the ground on its return.

“Although there is a minute chance of debris reaching the ground, it will be spread across the sea and there is virtually no chance that it will impact lives or buildings,” the agency statement read.

The exact date and time when the debris is expected to fall would become more clear as April 1 approaches, the agency said. Regular updates would be published on the agency’s website.

The satellite was launched in 2011 for use in various experiments but there was a communication failure in 2016. The laboratory includes two solar panels and weighs 8.5 tonnes. It is 10.5 metres long and 3.3 metres wide.

“Earth witnesses the fall of many objects, including satellites and other debris, on a daily basis. These objects do not pose a threat to the planet or its population due to their small size or the speed at which they are vaporised in the Earth’s atmosphere,” Mohammed Al Ahbabi, director general of the UAE Space Agency, previously said.

“Those that make it through are often scattered over vast areas in the form of very small particles.”

He said the country was well equipped and experienced in monitoring the co-ordinates of space objects, meteors and meteorites.

“Many of our capabilities stem from the UAE Meteor Monitoring and Filming Network launched two years ago to support scientific research. The network provides reports on meteor traffic over the UAE,” he said. Three stations are part of this network – a joint venture by the UAE Space Agency and the IAC.