PhilSA warns of possible rocket debris within Philippine EEZ after Long March 7 launch

• Photo from PhilSA

The Philippine Space Agency on Monday confirmed the launch of the Long March 7 rocket from China and warned that expected debris from the mission may have fallen within parts of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

According to PhilSA, the rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site at around 8:14 a.m. Philippine time on May 11.

The agency said projected debris from the launch was expected to fall within an identified drop zone located approximately 34 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc, 97 nautical miles from Cabra Island, and 130 nautical miles from Busuanga.

PhilSA said details of the drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning involving “aerospace flight activity,” adding that it had already disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities before the launch.

The agency explained that rocket components such as boosters and fairings are normally discarded during ascent as the vehicle enters outer space. While the debris was not projected to fall on inhabited land areas, PhilSA warned that the falling objects could still pose risks to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels passing through the area.

PhilSA also noted the possibility that debris may remain floating at sea and eventually drift toward nearby coastlines. The agency further said that the possibility of an uncontrolled atmospheric re-entry involving the rocket’s upper stages “cannot be ruled out at this time.”

“As global launch rates continue to accelerate, debris shed during staging events and the uncontrolled reentry of large rocket upper stages pose growing hazards—not only to other spacecraft, but to civil aviation and to populations on the ground,” PhilSA said.

The agency added that the Philippines is encouraging international partners to explore coordinated regional protocols and capabilities aimed at protecting both space assets and people on the ground amid the increasing pace of global space launches.

PhilSA reiterated its advisory for the public to immediately report any suspected debris to local authorities and warned residents against retrieving or handling possible rocket fragments, which may contain toxic substances such as residual rocket fuel.