PhilSA Warns Public After China’s Long March 12 Rocket Launch
Debris from China’s Long March 12 rocket may have fallen in Philippine waters near Puerto Princesa, Palawan and the Tubbataha Reefs on Monday morning, November 9, 2026, according to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).
In an advisory posted on Monday, PhilSA confirmed that the rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, China at around 4:24 a.m. (Philippine time).
Based on the agency’s drop zone map, the expected debris was projected to have fallen roughly 25 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa and about 19 nautical miles from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. The area is within the country’s archipelagic waters.
PhilSA said the details of the drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an “aerospace flight activity.” The agency also sent a pre-launch report to concerned government offices before the launch.
According to PhilSA, the unburned parts of the rocket, such as the booster and fairing, are not expected to land on any land feature or inhabited area. However, falling debris may still pose a risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels passing through the drop zone.
The agency added that some debris may float and drift toward nearby coasts. It also said an uncontrolled re-entry of the rocket’s upper stages into the atmosphere cannot be ruled out.
“As global launch rates continue to accelerate, debris shed during staging events and the uncontrolled re-entry of large rocket upper stages pose growing hazards—not only to other spacecraft, but to civil aviation and to populations on the ground,” PhilSA said, as also reported by GMA News.
Ahead of the launch, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in MIMAROPA temporarily banned fishing and sailing in the affected waters from 4:17 a.m. to 4:47 a.m. on Monday, DZRH News reported.
PhilSA reminded the public to report any suspected rocket debris to local authorities. It also warned against picking up or going near such materials, as they may contain traces of toxic substances like rocket fuel.
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