By 
August 26th, 2025
August 26 liftoff of China’s Long March 8A.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Once again, the Philippine Space Agency has issued an advisory regarding the August 26th launch of China’s Long March 8A booster from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in the southern island province of Hainan.
The Long March 8A hurled a new satellite group into space early Tuesday, the tenth of its kind that will constitute an internet constellation.
Expected debris
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) reports that expected debris from the rocket launch were projected to have fallen within identified drop zones approximately 130 nautical miles (NM) away from El Nido, Palawan, 55 NM away from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, and 27 NM away from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan.
Details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity.”
PhilSA disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the launch.
Estimated drop zone of the Long March 8A Launch.
Image credit: Philippine Space Agency
Potential risk
“Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, 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,” explains the PhilSA advisory.
“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,” the advisory adds.
As it has repeatedly done, PhilSA also advises 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.”
Another China launch, another day of picking up the pieces. Photo taken earlier this month on August 14 shows recovery operations.
Image credit: Philippine Coast Guard
For views of the launch via China Central Television (CCTV), go to:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/664171196076224
Go to this earlier Inside Outer Space story at:
https://www.leonarddavid.com/china-rocket-debris-recovered-by-philippine-coast-guard/
Posted in Space News
