The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) warned the public about possible falling debris from a Chinese rocket launch on Saturday, October 10, after identifying a drop zone inside Philippine archipelagic waters off Palawan.

China's Long March 12 rocket lifted off from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang at about 3:28 a.m. Philippine time. Chinese state media said the rocket carried a new batch of low-orbit internet satellites.

A drop zone close to home

Based on a Notice to Airmen, PhilSA said rocket parts discarded during the ascent were expected to fall in an area about 25 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa and about 19 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Debris was not expected to fall on land or inhabited areas, but it posed a danger to ships, aircraft and fishing boats passing through the zone.

The agency also warned that debris could drift and wash ashore, and that an uncontrolled re-entry of the rocket's upper stages could not be ruled out. Ahead of the launch, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Mimaropa banned fishing and sailing off Puerto Princesa and Tubbataha Reefs from 3:20 a.m. to 3:49 a.m. on October 10.

What the Navy saw

The Philippine Navy's Naval Command West later reported that personnel in Puerto Princesa saw a bright red trail moving from northwest to southeast at 3:37 a.m., visible for about 44 seconds. About three minutes later, they heard two loud explosion-like sounds, followed by three weaker ones. Personnel at Tubbataha Reefs reported a similar sighting at about the same time.

The Navy said the sighting was suspected to be linked to the rocket launch. As of the latest reports, no debris from the launch had been reported recovered.

Don't touch suspected debris

PhilSA and the Navy gave the following reminders to fishers, coastal communities and maritime workers:

  • Report any suspected rocket debris to local authorities.

  • Do not retrieve, approach or handle the debris.

  • Keep away from it, as it may contain toxic residue such as rocket fuel.

A busy week for launch advisories

The Long March 12 advisory came just days after another. On October 7, the agency warned of drop zones in the Philippine flight information region from South Korea's Nuri rocket launch, which carried 15 satellites.

PhilSA has called on international partners to develop coordinated protocols and capabilities to protect people and vessels from falling rocket debris.