A Chinese space rocket crashed over Southeast Asia. The Long March 5B launch vehicle entered Earth’s atmosphere over the Indian Ocean yesterday, the US Army Space Department said on Twitter. According to later Chinese information, the missile’s remains fell into the sea in Southeast Asia. NASA criticized China’s hesitant communication.
In a statement released today, the Chinese space agency gave coordinates for an impact area in the Sulu Sea, nearly 60 kilometers off the east coast of the Philippine island of Palawan. “Most of the components were removed and destroyed on re-entry,” he said.
Malaysia’s space agency said it observed rocket debris on fire as it re-entered the atmosphere before crashing into the Sulu Sea, northeast of the island of Borneo.
NASA chief Bill Nelson accused Beijing on Saturday of failing to release information about the rocket’s trajectory being irresponsible and risky. “All space nations must adhere to best practices” and share important information in a timely manner, he said on Twitter. In the case of missiles like the “Long March 5B”, in particular, there is a “considerable risk of loss of life and property” due to debris.