MANILA, Philippines – Nagbabala ang Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) na maaaring bumagsak sa karagatan sa Northern Luzon ang debris mula sa paglulunsad ng Long March 6A rocket ng China nitong Huwebes ng umaga.
Ayon sa PhilSA, inilunsad ang rocket mula sa Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center sa Shanxi Province bandang 9 a.m.
Tinatayang maaaring bumagsak ang debris sa isa sa tatlong itinakdang drop zone: humigit-kumulang 83 nautical miles mula sa Dalupiri Island, Cagayan, 88 nautical miles mula sa Babuyan Island, at 104 nautical miles mula sa Burgos, Ilocos Norte.
“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,” ayon sa PhilSA.
“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 into the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time,” dagdag ng ahensya.
Pinayuhan ng PhilSA ang publiko na agad ipaalam sa mga lokal na awtoridad kung makakita ng hinihinalang rocket debris at huwag itong pulutin o hawakan, dahil maaari itong maglaman ng nakalalasong sangkap, kabilang ang mga nalalabing rocket fuel. RNT/MDS
