MANILA, Philippines – Nagbabala ang Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) sa publiko nitong Linggo, Agosto 16 sa posibleng pagbagsak ng rocket debris sa dagat malapit sa Puerto Princesa City, Palawan matapos ilunsad ng China ang Long March 12 rocket nito.
Sa abiso, sinabi ng PhilSA na ang identified drop zone ay 25 nautical miles mula sa Puerto Princesa, Palawan, at 19 nautical miles mula sa Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, na nasa Philippine archipelagic waters.
Ang Long March 12 rocket ay inilunsad mula sa Hainan International Commercial Launch Center sa Wenchang, Hainan bandang 12:10 ng hapon nitong Linggo.
“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 to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time,” dagdag pa.
Inabisuhan ng PhilSA ang publiko na ipagbigay-alam sa mga awtoridad ang makikitang hinihinalang debris dahil ang mga ito ay naglalaman ng toxic substance katulad ng rocket fuel.
Nanawagan din ito ng coordinated protocols at inisyatibo para protektahan ang space assets at mamamayan.
“As global launch rates continue to accelerate, debris shed during staging events and the uncontrolled re-entry of large rocket upper stages pose growing hazards—not only to other spacecraft, but to civil aviation and to populations on the ground,” ayon sa PhilSA.
“The Philippines invites international partners to explore how our region can develop coordinated protocols and capabilities that protect both our space assets and our people on the ground,” dagdag pa ng ahensya. RNT/JGC
