It has been reported that debris from Chinese rocket launch vehicle carrying an test version of a planned crew carrying spacecraft has landed in a populated area of the Ivory Coast (Cote D’Ivoire), West Africa, between 1530 and 1600 GMT on 12 May 2020. The debris is suspected to be from the core stage of the Long March 5B launch which took place earlier in the month. Parts apparently survived re-entry causing house damage in town of N’guinou while a large pipe struck the ground in Mahounou. No one was reportedly injured. Apart from the house damage there are reports that a cheese making machine was damaged.
It is not known if the Chinese authorities carry third party space insurance. As the “launching state” by international law, China is responsible for any damage caused by its launched space objects.
Post Script: There is some anger in USA over the uncontrolled nature of the 32 m long Chinese rocket stage’s re-entry, especially because the track of the re-entry overflew major US cities (Los Angeles and New York) less than an hour before its impact in West Africa. During a NASA committee meeting, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine made his own criticism: “It flew over population centers and it reentered Earth’s atmosphere. It could have been extremely dangerous.” said Bridenstine.
Track of the Long March 5B (CZ-5B) core stage debris. Courtesy: Jonathan McDowell
