The second stage of a Chinese rocket launched into space is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere on Friday and is now forecast to fall in Latvia, but Lithuania is prepared to respond if the situation changes, the head of the country’s air navigation service said.
Saulius Batavičius, CEO of Air Navigation, said air traffic controllers are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant authorities.
“We will monitor the situation, and air traffic control is coordinating the process. So far, we have information that the forecast for where the object is expected to fall has changed slightly and is now predicted to fall in Latvia, whereas previously it was predicted to fall in Lithuania,” Batavičius told M-1 radio’s news service.
He said current estimates indicate the rocket debris could fall at around 11:00, though forecasts are constantly being updated.
“We have been informed and are ready to respond if anything changes, to restrict traffic and redirect aircraft,” Batavičius said.
He added that it remains unclear how much of the Chinese rocket will burn up while passing through the atmosphere.
EU space surveillance and tracking operations centres have confirmed they are actively monitoring the Zhuque-3 rocket, launched by a Chinese private company in early December. Recommendations for possible air route changes have been provided to air traffic controllers.
EU space observers warn that the 13-meter-long object, weighing about 11 tons, is unlikely to burn up completely due to its size and could pose a potential threat to southern Denmark and the Baltic states, though it may also fall into the sea.
Because of the object’s size and mass, experts caution there is a potential danger, including a risk to air traffic within the possible impact zone.
According to EU space observers, the rocket stage is expected to re-enter the atmosphere at around 10:32, though there is a possible margin of error of up to three hours.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
