Filipinos traveling by sea near Bajo de Masinloc and Cabra Island in the West Philippine Sea must be extra careful, as the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) reported that the debris from the Long March 7 rocket launch of China is expected to fall near those areas.
The debris, which is designed to be discarded as it enters space, could pose a danger to ships, aircraft, and fishing boats passing the drop zones. It could also float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts, the agency said in its latest advisory on Thursday, Jan. 18.
PhilSA warns against retrieving or coming in close contact with possible debris, which could contain remnants of toxic substances, such as rocket fuel.
Beijing’s Long March 7 was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at around 10:27 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17.
Last month, PhilSA also reported that debris from the Long March 3B rocket, also from China, was projected to fall within drop zones 68 nautical miles (NM) away from Rozul Reef and 116 NM away from Ayungin Shoal.
Long March 3B was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China on Dec. 26, 2023.
Details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity.”
PhilSA has disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the launch.
The agency urged the public to contact local authorities if suspected debris is sighted.