The return to Earth of this Chinese space rocket was worrying. Launched on Sunday July 24, it made its uncontrolled return to the atmosphere on Saturday July 30 and disintegrated over the Indian Ocean, the US military announced, without specifying whether the debris had done any damage.
“Space Force Command confirms that the People’s Republic of China’s Long March-5B rocket re-entered the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean on July 30” at 6:45 p.m., the US military tweeted.
For details on the dispersion of the debris and the exact location of the impact, the American military referred to the Chinese authorities, which on July 24 launched into space the second of the three modules of its Tiangong space station, which should be fully operational by the end of the year.
“Significant risks”
The Long March-5B rocket was not designed to control its descent from orbit, which, as with previous launches, has drawn criticism. China “did not give precise information on the trajectory of its Long March-5B rocket”, NASA boss tweeted on SaturdayBill Nelson. “All nations conducting space activities should adhere to best practices,” because falling objects of this size “presents a significant risk of causing human or material loss”he added.
Entering the atmosphere gives off immense heat and friction, segments may then burn up and disintegrate, but larger craft, such as the Long March-5B, may not be entirely destroyed. Their debris is then likely to land on the surface of the earth, causing damage and causing victims, even if this risk is low, the planet being covered with 70% of water. In 2020, debris from another Long March crashed into villages in Côte d’Ivoire, causing damage but no injuries.
The Asian giant has been investing billions of euros for several decades in its space program. China sent its first astronaut into space in 2003. In early 2019, it landed a spacecraft on the far side of the Moon, a world first. In 2021, she landed a small robot on Mars and she plans to send men to the Moon by 2030.