Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: Western Naval Command

Rocket remainders from China’s Long March 8A booster launched on October 16 have been picked up by a Philippine Navy missile boat.

The debris with made-in-China markings were recovered off Barangay Rio Tuba in Bataraza, Palawan following maritime operations in the West Philippine Sea.

Drop zones

The Long March 8A rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan early morning on October 16. This rocket deployed the 12th group of low-orbit Internet satellites – and also marked the 600th launch of China’s Long March rocket series.

Image credit: Western Naval Command

Earlier, details of the rocket drop zones were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity,” notified the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).

PhilSA disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the launch.

Falling debris

“Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space,” the earlier PhilSA advisory notes. “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.”

Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Additionally, PhilSA said in the earlier advisory there was also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts.

“PhilSA 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,” the earlier advisory pointed out.