On Saturday, suspected debris from a Chinese rocket was witnessed plummeting to the ground over a village in southwest China, leaving a trail of bright yellow smoke and causing villagers to run for safety. The incident occurred shortly after a Long March 2C carrier rocket was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province. The rocket successfully placed the Space Variable Objects Monitor satellite into orbit, a joint project between China and France aimed at studying gamma-ray bursts.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has expressed ambitions for China to become a dominant space power, leading to an increase in space missions to compete with other major world powers. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) declared Saturday's launch as a 'complete success.'
Footage shared on Chinese social media platforms captured the dramatic moment when a cylindrical piece of debris fell over a rural village in Guizhou province, causing a loud explosion upon impact. Witnesses reported a pungent smell and yellow smoke emanating from the debris, indicating the use of toxic and carcinogenic liquid propellants in the rocket.
Incidents of rocket debris falling in populated areas are not uncommon in China due to the location of its inland launch sites. Unlike Western space agencies that launch rockets from coastal locations towards the ocean, China's launch sites are situated inland for security reasons. Debris from Chinese rockets has previously caused damage to properties and injuries in local communities.
Experts have raised concerns about the environmental and health risks posed by the toxic propellants used in Chinese rockets. They emphasize the need for responsible handling of rocket debris to prevent harm to human health and the environment. China has faced criticism from the international space community for its handling of out-of-control rocket boosters and the reentry of debris into Earth's atmosphere.
As China continues to expand its space program and launch more missions, ensuring the safe disposal of rocket debris and minimizing risks to human populations will be crucial priorities for the country's space agency.
