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The core stage of China’s Long March 5B rocket, seen here before launch, re-entered the atmosphere over the Arabian Peninsula and Indian Ocean late Saturday. Credit: Xinhua
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said Saturday that China is failing to meet “responsible standards” on space debris after a massive Long March rocket stage fell back to Earth over the Indian Ocean in an uncontrolled re-entry that is likely to be repeated with additional launches next year.
NASA criticises Chinese rocket debris: ‘China is failing to meet responsible standards’10/05/2021|3min
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has criticised China after debris from its uncontrolled rocket crashed into the Indian Ocean near the Maldives – as Beijing plans 10 more similar launches.
In a statement Mr Nelson said it was clear China was “failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris”
“Spacefaring nations must minimise the risks to people and property on Earth of re-entries of space objects and maximise transparency regarding those operations,” he said.
“It is critical that China and all spacefaring nations and commercial entities act responsibly and transparently in space to ensure the safety, stability, security, and long-term sustainability of outer space activities.”
China receives no report of harm after rocket re-enters atmosphere
China said Monday there has been no report of harm on the ground after the country s large rocket re-entered Earth s atmosphere and its debris fell into the Indian Ocean near the Maldives the previous day. China has been closely tracking its trajectory and issued statements on the re-entry situation in advance, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters. There was no need for some media to make exaggeration and create panic.
The Long March-5B Y2 rocket, which carried the core module of China s first space station into orbit, had blasted off from the southern island province of Hainan on April 29. The core stage of the rocket is roughly 30 meters long.
Published on: Sunday, May 09, 2021
By: Bernama
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The Long March-5B rocket had launched the first module of China s new space station into Earth orbit on April 29. - AFP photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Debris from China s Long March rocket, announced to be out of control on May 7, fell to Earth in the Indian Ocean near Maldives early Sunday.
Parts of the debris returned to the Earth at 10.24 Chinese local time (0224GMT), according to a report by Anadolu Agency quoting statement by China Manned Space Engineering Office.
Most of the rocket burned up by the time it landed in the ocean, officials said.