PhilSA warns public of fallen debris as China launches rocket into space

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has confirmed the launch of Long March 4A from the People’s Republic of China, as it warned the public of the rocket’s fallen debris.

“The Long March 8A rocket was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan, at around 5:30 p.m. on 11 February 2025,” the PhilSA said in an advisory on Tuesday night.

READ: Debris from 2 Chinese rockets may have fallen in PH waters – PhilSA

“Details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen warning of an aerospace flight activity,” it added.

The agency said it had already informed relevant agencies about this before the launch.

It likewise revealed that unburned debris from rockets—boosters and fairings—will be discarded as the rocket enters outer space.

PhilSA also warned that debris may have fallen "within the identified drop zones approximately 85 nautical miles (nm) away from Rozul Reef, 40 nm from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 33 nm away from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan."

“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,” the advisory said.

“There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts,” it noted.

“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,” it added.

PhilSA urged the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted, cautioning against retrieving or coming in close contact with [which] may contain “remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.”

(2025/02/12-06:42)