MANILA, Philippines -- Debris from China's Long March 12 rocket may have fallen within areas off Palawan after its launch from Hainan on Monday morning, November 10.
In an advisory Monday, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said projected drop zones were located about 29 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa and 20 nautical miles from the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park. The launch took place at around 10:42 a.m. (PhST) from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, China.
The agency said details of the rocket's drop zones were disclosed in a Notice to Airmen warning of an "aerospace flight activity". PhilSA said it had issued a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and local authorities before the launch.
Unburned debris from rockets, including discarded boosters and fairings, are typically designed to fall back to Earth as the rocket ascends into orbit. While the debris was not expected to hit land or inhabited areas, PhilSA warned that falling components could pose risks to aircraft, ships and fishing vessels operating in or near the designated drop zones.
"There is also a possibility for debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts," the agency said, adding that the chance of an uncontrolled re-entry of upper rocket stages from outer space "cannot be ruled out at this time."
PhilSA urged the public to report any suspected debris sightings to local authorities and to avoid touching or retrieving such materials, which may contain toxic remnants of rocket fuel.
In October, Philippine Navy personnel recovered what appeared to be rocket debris from China's Long March 8A launch off Bataraza, Palawan, two days after its lift-off from Hainan.
The metal object, which bore markings of China's flag, was retrieved and brought to Puerto Princesa City for inspection and documentation.
An earlier rocket launch by China in August also resulted in debris falling some 20 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, a marine protected area.