PhilSA confirms China rocket launch, warns of remote risk from debris

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<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1725330520921debris.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"></span></span></span></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">This file Philippine Coast Guard handout photo shows debris believed to be from Chinese automated cargo spacecraft Tianzhou. <em>File photo</em></p><div></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">MANILA — The Philippine Space Agency on Tuesday confirmed the launch of a Long March 4B rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China’s Sichuan province and warned of the risk of debris in the projected drop zone several hundred nautical miles off the coast of Cagayan province.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">PhilSA issued a pre-launch report to government agencies and authorities before the 9:20 a.m. launch of the rocket, debris from which is projected to fall in an area around 368 nautical miles (681.5 km) from Sta. Ana, Cagayan and 318 NM (589 km) from Panay Island, Catanduanes. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">Parts of the rocket are designed to be discarded as the rocket leaves Earth&#x27;s atmosphere, the agency said.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><br/></div><div><span id="isPasted" style="caret-color:rgb(65, 65, 65);color:rgb(65, 65, 65)">&quot;While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone,&quot; PhilSA said.</span></div><div><span id="isPasted"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1725329145605Image-2.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"/></span>PhilSA said currents may also bring the debris closer to the coasts.</div><p>&quot;Additionally, 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,&quot; it also said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/6/29/report-but-don-t-try-to-retrieve-suspected-chinese-rocket-debris-ocd-1137">RELATED: Report, but don&#x27;t try to retrieve suspected Chinese rocket debris — OCD</a></div><p>PhilSA said the public should report suspected rocket debris to local authorities for proper retrieval because &quot;these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.&quot;</p><p>The Philippine Coast Guard in 2023 said it was coordinating with the Chinese Embassy on rocket debris that had ended up in Bataan.</p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">Manila filed a diplomatic protest in late 2022 after a China Coast Guard vessel &quot;forcefully&quot; took control of debris from a Chinese rocket retrieved by a Philippine navy vessel off Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in November of that year.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">China denied using force and its embassy said then that the debris was handed over after &quot;friendly consultation&quot;.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/55pFpFtC4xM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>"While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone," PhilSA said.</p>

"While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone," PhilSA said.

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PhilSA confirms China rocket launch, warns of remote risk from debris

PhilSA confirms China rocket launch, warns of remote risk from debris

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 03, 2024 10:32 AM PHT

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Philippine Space Agency

PhilSA

China

Long March 4B rocket

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