On 05 June 2023, Mr Alvin Menez y Gerance, local fisherman, found the huge metal object floating in the open sea water approximately 10 miles off Napot Point, Barangay Nagbalayong, Morong, Bataan. Photo courtesy of PCG

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) recently confirmed the launch of the Long March 4B rocket from China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and guess what? Some of that rocket's debris may have made its way into our waters. But don't worry—PhilSA is keeping an eye on things.

The rocket took off at around 9:20 AM (PhST) on September 3, 2024, from Sichuan, China. According to PhilSA, the debris from the launch was projected to fall within drop zones that are pretty far from us—about 243 nautical miles from the Philippine Rise and 318 nautical miles from Panay Island, Catanduanes. Still, it's close enough that they issued a heads-up through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), warning of potential dangers from the falling debris.

So, what does this mean for us? Well, while the debris isn't expected to crash onto land or populated areas, it could pose a risk to ships, planes, and fishing boats passing through the drop zones. And there's also a chance that some of this unburned debris might float toward our coasts.

PhilSA is urging everyone to stay alert. If you spot anything that looks like rocket debris, don't touch it. The materials might contain toxic substances, like remnants of rocket fuel. Instead, let your local authorities know so they can handle it safely.

And while we're at it, let's keep our fingers crossed that the rocket's upper stages don't make an unexpected return from outer space. PhilSA is keeping us in the loop, so stay tuned for updates.