By 
August 1st, 2025
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China’s Long March 8A launch from the Hainan Commercial Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan created another worrisome issue for the Philippine Space Agency.
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed the launch of the rocket, expecting debris leftovers from the launch that were projected to have fallen within identified drop zones roughly 120 nautical miles (NM) away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan and 42 NM away from Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur.
This July 30th liftoff of the vehicle and the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity.”
Image credit: Philippine Space Agency
Falling debris
The Philippine Space Agency disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the launch.
“Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and faring, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space. 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,” a PhilSA posting noted.
Image credit: Philippine Space Agency
“There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts. 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,” added the PhilSA posting.
Rocket fuel warning
PhilSA, as it has in the past, reiterates its advice for the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted. “PhilSA also cautions against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.”
According to China Central Television (CCTV), the booster successfully hurled a new group of low Earth orbit satellites, the sixth of its kind that will constitute an internet constellation.
The launch marked the 586th mission of the Long March series carrier rockets.
Go to video of the liftoff at:
Posted in Space News
