Rocket debris from China's space station launch is falling back to Earth — but where?

[Jonk]

The out of control Long March 5B rocket's core stage could fall from space any day now.

Parts of it may survive reentry and could shower practically anyone, anywhere with debris, some of which could be huge and very dangerous.

It can be tracked here -> https://orbit.ing-now.com/satellite/48275/2021-035b/cz-5b/

https://www.space.com/china-space-station-rocket-launch-debris-falling

 

[John]

We need our Skylab protection helmets again:

[RT65CB-SWL]

I don't know if it is true, but I heard a story that the Australian Gov't. 🇦🇺 [at the time], fined NASA for the clean-up operation when Skylab left a debris field 'scattered' across their country.

[Jonk]

I'm just thinking about the conspiracy theories 'if' this thing hits US soil.....!

And also the repercussions.....any excuse to launch Space Force.

[Paul M]

Ah, panic over! It's orbit's inclination is only 41.5 deg, so never overhead the UK

 

[John]

19 minutes ago, Paul M said:

Ah, panic over! It's orbit's inclination is only 41.5 deg, so never overhead the UK

 

As Douglas Adams would have put it, this is now an SEP - Someone Else's Problem !

 

[Tomatobro]

Could put an order in for a Mesu 200e with the compo...................

[Deadlake]

Usually around 10 metric tons is allowed to fall back to earth in an uncontrolled manner.

The Chinese are allowing 20 tons to re-enter in an uncontrollable manner, last time they did he created a mess all over Africa.

 

 

[tuckstar]

22 hours ago, Philip R said:

I don't know if it is true, but I heard a story that the Australian Gov't. 🇦🇺 [at the time], fined NASA for the clean-up operation when Skylab left a debris field 'scattered' across their country.

Yes they did, they issued a littering fine but very tongue in cheek. It was paid for by a US radio channel who did a fund raiser.

[JamesF]

Looks like Olly and some of our Spanish SGLers could end up with a souvenir or two though.

James

[Chaz2b]

Nearly down, and a probable for Turkmenistan souvenir hunters!

whoa! Wait a minute, now increasing in height! Getting some slope lift off of Chilean mountains! Lol

chaz

Edited May 7, 2021 by Chaz2b

[Jonk]

Looks like we’ll know in the early hours!

[michael8554]

Covert COVID package for Trump Tower........ 😆

 

On 04/05/2021 at 12:47, Paul M said:

Ah, panic over! It's orbit's inclination is only 41.5 deg, so never overhead the UK

Is that true ?

ISS is 51.6 and regularly comes over our house ?

Michael

[Paul M]

8 minutes ago, michael8554 said:

Is that true ?

Yup. It is. China must want their space station at lower inclination.

The highest latitude of any point in China is only 53 deg with most of the territory well below that so maybe they didn't feel the need for a high inclination?

[michael8554]

Got it now.

The orbit is inclined 41.5 to the equator, so highest Lat reached will only be 41.5,  and UK starts at about 50.

Michael

[Jonk]

I still dread to think if this thing hits land.

[Robindonne]

They aimed for New Zealand

[dweller25]

As Elvis sang “Return to sender” 😁

[Geoff Barnes]

I found this live link tracking the Chinese debris (as well as other potential hazards).

You can turn the globe by clicking and holding...

Satellite TLE Data - 2021-035 ++ (ing-now.com)

EDIT: Only news I have found so far indicates it broke up over the Maldives in the Indian Ocean...

Chinese Long March rocket breaks up on reentry over Maldives | Daily Mail Online

Edited May 9, 2021 by Geoff Barnes

[blameTECHIE]

Another useful site might be stuffin.space [link goes to CZ-5B for convenience] - site isn't as heavily loaded (and generally quick to load)

I think both sites are displaying calculated orbits based off most recent published data from space-track.org

[Paul M]