Chinese rocket to crash OVER India and few other countries! No danger, says China

Chinese rocket Long March 5B is crashing into Earth uncontrollably and India falls into its debris field. Know more.

A Long March-5B rocket could crash over India and couple of other countries. (VIA REUTERS)

News of the Chinese rocket Long March 5B crashing into Earth uncontrollably has upset the space community, with many criticizing China's approach to management of these disasters. A new report now says that the debris field for the Long March 5B includes most of the Indian Ocean as well as a couple of countries that includes populated areas such as India, the US, Africa, Australia, Brazil, and Southeast Asia. This isn't the first time a Chinese rocket is burning up over India but these falling rockets pose a threat to human habitats in these areas.

Chinese authorities assure that that likelihood of the damage from the falling rocket is very low, and have even claimed that the topic has been deliberately blown-up by the US and Western media to exaggerate China's grip on the situation. "It is clear that China is failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a report from NDTV. "It is critical that China and all space-faring nations and commercial entities act responsibly and transparently in space to ensure the safety, stability, security, and long-term sustainability of outer space activities,” he added.

Chinese rocket to crash over India

The Long March 5B is a 23-ton, 50-metre-tall rocket launched on July 24 and was soon discovered heading for an uncontrolled reentry into Earth. Based on the current data and estimates, the rocket is expected to begin its uncontrolled reentry between July 31 and August 1. At the moment, it is scientifically not possible to figure out the exact location where the debris could land.

"With no active control system, and no restartable engine to boost it back down to Earth, it just tumbles along in orbit and eventually burns up due to friction with the atmosphere," said astronomer Jonathan McDowell to old CNN.

This isn't the first time though for a Chinese rocket to crash into populated areas. A Chinese rocket fell into the Indian Ocean last year and earlier this year in April, a ring with a diameter of 2-3 meters was found in a Maharashtra village, which is also suspected to be a Chinese rocket debris. Back in 2019, a Long March 3B rocket crashed into China's own backyard, demolishing a house.