MANILA, Philippines – Nagbabala ang Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) ngayong Lunes, Nobyembre 9, na posibleng bumagsak sa katubigan ng Pilipinas ang debris mula sa Long March 12 rocket ng China.
Sa abiso, sinabi ng PhilSA na ang Chinese rocket debris ay inaasahang babagsak sa mga sumusunod na lugar:
25 nautical miles mula Puerto Princesa, Palawan
19 nautical miles mula Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Ayon sa PhilSA, ang Long March 12 rocket ay inilunsad mula sa Hainan International Commercial Launch Center sa Wenchang, Hainan madaling araw ng Lunes.
Bago ang rocket launch ay nagpakalat na ang PhilSA ng pre-launch advisory sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan.
“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,” sinabi ng 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.
Hindi naman inaasahang tatama sa anumang landmass ng bansa ang debris ng Chinese rocket.
“PhilSA reiterates its advice for the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted,” paalala naman ng ahensya.
“PhilSA also cautions against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel,” pagtatapos nito. RNT/JGC
