Debris from a Chinese rocket fell over a village in southwest China on Saturday (22) – KNfins

Debris from a Chinese rocket fell over a village in southwest China on Saturday (22)

The rocket left a trail of bright yellow smoke and caused panic among the residents, as seen in videos shared on Chinese social media and sent by a local witness.

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The incident occurred shortly after the launch of a carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province. The debris fell back to Earth after the deployment of the Space Variable Objects Monitor, a satellite designed to study gamma-ray bursts, a distant astronomical phenomenon.

An analyst warned about the toxic and carcinogenic nature of the space equipment, heightening concerns regarding the environmental and health risks associated with the incident. This episode underscores the challenges and potential consequences of China’s space ambitions, led by President Xi Jinping, which aim to position the country as a leading spacefaring nation in competition with others, including the United States.

On Saturday, the launch was described as a “complete success” by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). CASC, a state-owned company responsible for the rocket’s development, confirmed this after the event.

A video posted on Kuaishou, a Chinese short-video platform, showed a long cylindrical debris piece falling onto a village near a hillside, with yellow smoke clearly visible at one end.

The geographically identified video was taken in Xianqiao, a town in Guizhou Province near the launch site in southeastern Sichuan. It was posted on Kuaishou from an IP address in Guizhou.

Other analyzed videos circulating on Chinese social media showed various angles of the falling debris. In one video, residents, including children, were seen running in panic while watching the orange trail in the sky, with some covering their ears, concerned about the incident.

Witnesses on social media reported hearing a loud explosion after the debris impact. One eyewitness stated that he saw the rocket crash with his own eyes, describing a strong odor and the sound of a subsequent explosion.

Shortly after the launch, a government notice, deleted and then reposted by a local resident, informed that the town of Xinba, near Xianqiao, would conduct a “rocket debris recovery mission” on Saturday.

Residents were instructed an hour before the launch to leave their homes and buildings and gather in open areas to watch the sky. The notice warned against approaching the debris due to the danger posed by toxic gases and possible explosions. Additionally, a strict ban was imposed on photographing the debris or posting videos online. So far, no reports of immediate injuries have been confirmed by local authorities.

Markus Schiller, a rocket expert and Senior Research Associate at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, warned of the risks associated with Chinese rocket debris, which he identified as parts of the first-stage fuel tank. This uses a liquid fuel composed of nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH).

“This combination always results in these orange smoke trails. It is extremely toxic and carcinogenic,” Schiller emphasized. “Any living being inhaling this substance will face difficulties in the near future,” he added.

Schiller explained that such incidents are common in China due to the locations of its launch centers. “When something is launched into low Earth orbit, it is usually done eastward to take advantage of the Earth’s rotation for additional thrust. However, launching eastward inevitably places some villages in the path,” he explained.

The concern about the toxicity of these materials raises questions about safety protocols and the environmental impact of these incidents, highlighting the challenges of developing and launching rockets in densely populated areas.

China conducts most of its space launches from three inland sites: Xichang in the southwest, Jiuquan in the Gobi Desert in the northwest, and Taiyuan in the north. These centers were established during the Cold War and strategically located far from the coast for security reasons.

In 2016, a fourth launch site, Wenchang, was opened on Hainan Island, the country’s southernmost province.

Markus Schiller, Director of ST Analytics in Munich, Germany, and a rocket expert, contrasted this with NASA and the European Space Agency, which typically launch their rockets from coastal locations toward the ocean. He noted that Western space agencies have largely abandoned the use of highly toxic liquid fuels in their civilian space programs, while China and Russia still utilize them.

Multistage rockets release debris immediately after launch, following pre-planned trajectories to minimize risks to populated areas.

Before each launch, the Chinese Civil Aviation Authority issues a warning to pilots, known as NOTAM, alerting them to “temporary danger zones” where rocket debris could fall.

Previous incidents involving Chinese rocket debris have already caused damage. In December 2023, rocket debris fell in the southern province of Hunan, damaging two houses, according to state media. In 2002, a teenager in northern China was injured when debris from a satellite fell over his village in Shaanxi Province.

Markus Schiller expressed concern about the frequency of these events: “I fear that we will continue to see such incidents for many years to come.”

China has faced criticism from the international space community over its handling of uncontrolled rocket debris reentering the Earth. In 2021, NASA criticized China for not adhering to “responsible standards” after debris from the Long March 5B rocket went out of control and fell into the Indian Ocean west of the Maldives after reentering the atmosphere.

These incidents highlight growing concerns about the impact of China’s space programs and the need to improve safety and space debris management practices. As China expands its space capabilities and seeks to position itself as a global power in this domain, criticism and concerns from the international community will likely continue.

Responsible space debris management is crucial, not only for the safety of local populations but also for the protection of the global environment. It is hoped that these incidents will spark a broader dialogue on international cooperation in managing and minimizing the risks associated with space activities, ensuring that the benefits of space exploration are accompanied by sustainable and safe practices.

Picture of Ella Bailey
Ella Bailey

an editor at KNfins since 2024.

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