PhilSA confirms China’s Long March 7A rocket launch; debris expected to fall off Cagayan, Ilocos Norte

• Photo from Unsplash

By TechWatchPH Staff

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed on Monday, November 3, the launch of China’s Long March 7A rocket, with debris projected to fall within identified drop zones off the northern coast of the Philippines.

According to PhilSA, the expected debris may land approximately 67 nautical miles (NM) from Dalupiri Island in Cagayan, 44 NM from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, 75 NM from Camiguin Norte, and 63 NM from Santa Ana, Cagayan.

The rocket lifted off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, China at around 11:47 a.m. (Philippine Standard Time) on November 3.

PhilSA said a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued ahead of the launch, alerting aircraft of “aerospace flight activity,” while the agency had earlier disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government bodies.

Unburned debris from rocket stages, including boosters and fairings, are typically discarded as the rocket ascends into space.

Estimated drop zone of the Long March 7A Launch (PhilSA)

While no debris is expected to land on inhabited areas, PhilSA cautioned that fragments could pose risks to vessels passing through the drop zones or possibly drift toward nearby coastal waters.

The agency also noted that the rocket’s upper stages could potentially make an uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere.

PhilSA urged the public to immediately report any suspected debris sightings to local authorities and avoid touching or retrieving any materials, as they may contain toxic substances such as rocket fuel.