Debris from Chinese rocket lands near Maldives
Published on: Sunday, May 09, 2021
By: Bernama
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.
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Most of the rocket burned up by the time it landed in the ocean, officials said.
Long March 5B Y2 was launched April 29 to carry the core module, Tianhe, of China’s National Space Administration to its orbit.
Tianhe separated from the core stage of the launcher after 492 seconds of flight, directly entering its initial planned orbit.
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China’s upcoming T-shaped space station said the debris might re-enter Earth's atmosphere on or around May 9-10, Anadolu Agency added.
