One hour! Countries in risk zone as debris size of 10-storey building crashes to Earth

China rocket: Expert discusses rocket booster 'heading for Earth'

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Spain, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Australia and New Zealand sit within the danger zone – though its most likely destination remains the ocean.The Long March 5B blasted off last Thursday as part of China’s mission to build its first permanent space station.

At 30 metres, it is around the length of a basketball court, and is one of the largest launchers to make an uncontrolled re-entry to Earth.

The rocket body, travelling at high speed, has been orbiting the globe roughly every 90 minutes during its return journey.

It is expected to land within the next three hours – with an estimated crash time of between 2am and 3am GMT.

Will Ripley, of CNN, notes that it is “the size of a 10-storey building” and “a fifth as heavy as the Statue of Liberty”.

He said the latest estimate of landing time is 10.04pm Eastern Time, “plus or minus 60 minutes”.

The estimate – 10.04pm EST – is 2.04am GMT.

Mr Ripley notes: “So you have a two-hour window.

“During those two hours, this rocket will orbit the Earth more than once – 1.3 times.

“Impact could happen in a whole swathe of countries from Portugal to Spain to Israel, Jordan to Saudia Arabia.

“Even Australia and New Zealand.”

Other potential land sites include the Southeastern US, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Peru, Ecuador Colombia, Venezuela, parts of Southern Europe, much of Northern and Central Africa, the Middle East and Southern India.

The Tianhe, or “Heavenly Harmony” module, was propelled into orbit by a Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang Launch Center on the southern island of Hainan on April 29.

DON’T MISS: 
German scientist predicted man named ‘Elon’ would lead humans to Mars [INSIGHT]
China rocket MAP: Where out of control Long March 5b could crash [REVEAL]
China nuclear war – Australia has ‘no idea’ about dangerous situation [SPOTLIGHT]

 

Beijing is planning another 10 launches to send up two more modules, four cargo supply shipments and four missions with crews.

Tianhe’s main module will initially be about the size of NASA’s 76-ton Skylab space station of the 1970s.

The station is designed to last for more than 10 years and will be significantly smaller than the International Space Station (ISS).

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post Scarlett Johansson urges boycott of 'sexist' Golden Globes
Next post Rav Wilding urges youngsters to join the Sun on Sunday’s Duke of Edinburgh Award campaign