Spain must take security measures as a Chinese rocket is about to fall uncontrollably to Earth. The country closed part of its airports on November 4, 2022.
China launched part of its space station, Tiangong, into space on October 31, 2022. But what is now happening to the rocket is worrying. This 22-tonne launcher is falling to Earth in a completely uncontrolled way on November 4, 2022. The machine has even been seen moving in space, while no one can decide its movements and ensure that it will fall safely.
It is complex to determine with certainty where the large debris from the Long March 5B (CZ-5B) rocket will crash. According to data from the Aerospace Corporation, the return of the launcher should take place around 12:20 p.m. (French time), along one of the lines drawn on the map next. We see that two of them pass through Europe, above Spain.
Out-of-control Chinese launcher forces Spain to close airports
Even if the risks of rocket debris falling on populations are slim, this cannot be completely ruled out. The danger also exists for installations on the ground, as well as in the airspace. Spain has decided to take security measures. This Friday, November 4 in the morning, we learn that several airports in the country are closed. The airspaces of Barcelona, Tarragona, Ibiza and Reus airports are closed, informed El Pais.
The following cards show that a protection zone is established in Spain. Usually it is busy with various airliner flights.
Several Internet users have indicated that they are stranded in their planes, due to the security measures taken because of the CZ-5B rocket. ” I’m on a plane, at Madrid airport, grounded, because potentially a piece of Chinese rocket debris could fall on our heads at any time. », we read in a tweet. ” Boarding for a 50 minute flight. We are now stuck for 2 hours on the plane because, I’m not kidding, ‘Madrid and Barcelona airspace is closed due to an uncontrolled Chinese rocket falling from space », mentioned another passenger.
In this another video shared on the same social network, we can see the delays of planes arriving at Barcelona airport.
The situation underscores the importance of predicting what happens to launchers after they arrive in space. The Long March 5B rockets are designed to reach Earth orbit, but do not provide for any subsequent deorbit maneuvers. The CZ-B5 rocket which launched the third module of the Chinese space station is therefore now on its own. No one can control where the vehicle will fall and urgent precautionary measures must be taken.