Chinese Rocket Debris Falls Over Village in Guizhou Province

On Saturday, debris from a Chinese rocket was seen falling over Xianqiao village in Guizhou Province, China. This happened shortly after the Long March 2C rocket launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province. The rocket was carrying a satellite to study gamma-ray bursts, a project between China and France.

Rocket Launch and Debris

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) declared the launch a success. However, videos on Chinese social media showed a piece of debris falling near a hill, causing yellow smoke. Villagers, including children, were seen fleeing and covering their ears.

Safety Concerns

A government notice advised residents to vacate their homes before the launch and avoid the debris due to toxic gases. Markus Schiller, a rocket expert, identified the debris as the first-stage booster of the rocket, which uses highly toxic propellants.

Previous Incidents

China has three main inland launch sites, and incidents of rocket debris falling in villages have happened before. In 2021, NASA criticized China for not following responsible standards after debris from another rocket crashed into the Indian Ocean.

Conclusion

Local authorities reported no injuries from this incident, but the use of toxic propellants and the geographical positioning of launch sites continue to pose risks to nearby villages.