China: "Rocket, special materials... will burn and disappear upon entering the atmosphere"
[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] China is countering concerns that debris from the rocket it launched to build its independent space station could fall back to Earth, stating that the "likelihood is low."
They claim that the rocket body is made of special materials, so the debris will burn up and disappear upon re-entering the atmosphere, and that the claims of it falling to Earth are exaggerated.
Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 7th, "The rocket is designed using special technology, so most parts will burn up and disappear during their return to Earth," adding, "The probability of it affecting aviation activities or harming the Earth is very low."
He continued, "We are monitoring the situation of the rocket debris re-entering the atmosphere," and "the relevant departments will provide timely updates."
China launched the Long March 5B carrying the core module Tianhe on the 29th of last month to build its space station and successfully placed it into the correct orbit.
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However, the rocket has become uncontrollable, and debris weighing 22.5 tons is falling toward Earth from an altitude of 280 km at a rate of about 1 to 2 km per day, with predictions that it could enter the atmosphere as early as this weekend.
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