The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Tuesday night confirmed China has launched its Long March 7A rocket from its Wenchang site.
In an advisory, the space agency said expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones in the following areas:
· 62 nautical miles (NM) away from Dalapuri Island, Cagayan
· 40 NM away from Burgos, Ilocos Norte
· 80 NM away from Camiguin Norte, Cagayan
· 68 NM away from Santa Ana, Cagayan
“The Long March 7A rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at around 7:50PM PhST on 20 May 2025,” PhilSA said.
According to the agency, the details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity.”
“PhilSA has disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the launch,” the advisory read.
The agency also reminded the public that the unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and faring, 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, according to PhilSA.
“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,” it added.
PhilSA reiterates its advice for the public to inform local authorities if suspected debris is sighted and extended cautions against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.
