Update: The Chinese rocket making an uncontrolled descent to Earth re-entered the planet’s atmosphere over the Indian Ocean today around 11:45am Cayman time, according to US Space Command.
Its uncontrolled descent meant that it was impossible to forecast with accuracy where it might land, leading to concerns internationally that it might fall onto populated areas.
Original story:
While stating that Cayman is at extremely low risk of being affected, Hazard Management Cayman Islands has issued a warning for local residents to “remain vigilant” as a Chinese rocket plummets to Earth on Saturday.
The 25-ton Long March 5B rocket, which carried a lab module to the Chinese space station Tiangong last weekend, will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere in an uncontrolled descent.
In a statement issued on Friday, Hazard Management said the rocket was expected to descend Saturday afternoon, “possibly beginning around 1:30pm”.
Because it is an uncontrolled descent, it’s not possible to know where in the world the debris from the rocket will land.
According to Hazard Management, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has told government officials, “the risk to Overseas Territories remains extremely low, however the precise location, length and size of debris and the debris field is not known”.
Hazard Management said it was urging residents “to be mindful this weekend as they go about activities and remain attentive to alert channels such as caymanprepared.ky and gov.ky which will be updated if any further information becomes available”.
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