October 25, 2026 | 4:32pm
Map from the Philippine Space Agency showing possible drop zones of China's rocket launched on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026.
Philippine Space Agency / Released
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed the launch of China’s Long March 8A rocket on Sunday, October 25.
In an advisory, PhilSA said the rocket lifted off from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, at approximately 10:03 a.m. (Manila time).
Before the launch, details of the designated drop zones were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen warning of "aerospace flight activity."
PhilSA said it had distributed a pre-launch risk assessment report to relevant government agencies and local authorities to help ensure public safety.
The agency identified two primary drop zones for falling rocket components, including discarded boosters and payload fairings:
- Drop Zone 1 (Within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone): Located approximately 107 nautical miles (NM) from Patag Island, 122 NM from Bajo de Masinloc, 164 NM from El Nido, Palawan, and 167 NM from Busuanga, Palawan.
- Drop Zone 2 (Within Philippine Archipelagic Waters): Situated roughly 42 NM from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan, 42 NM from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, 53 NM from Pangutaran Island, Sulu, and 122 NM from Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Although the discarded rocket components were not expected to land directly on inhabited areas, PhilSA warned that falling debris could pose serious risks to ships, fishing vessels, aircraft and mariners traversing the affected maritime areas.
“While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone,” PhilSA said.
“There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts. Additionally, the possibility of an uncontrolled re-entry to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time,” it added.
PhilSA reiterated its warning against touching or retrieving suspected rocket debris, noting that the materials may contain toxic remnants, including unspent rocket fuel.
“PhilSA also cautions against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel,” the agency warned.