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Toxic Rocket Debris Falls Over Populated Area After Chinese Launch

The recent launch of the Sino-French SVOM mission led to toxic rocket debris falling over a populated area in Guizhou province, China. The incident, involving a Long March 2C rocket, highlights the dangers posed by hypergolic propellants used in space missions.

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Aqsa Younas Rana
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The recent launch of the Sino-French SVOM mission led to toxic rocket debris falling over a populated area.

A Chinese launch of the joint Sino-French SVOM mission to study Gamma-ray bursts on Saturday resulted in toxic rocket debris falling over a populated area, sparking concern and alarm. The SVOM mission, a collaboration between the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and France's Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), aims to investigate high-energy electromagnetic radiation from cosmic events like the death of massive stars or collisions between stars. These studies could provide critical insights into astrophysics, including star death and black hole formation.

Why This Matters: However, the mission’s launch had immediate terrestrial consequences. A video posted on Chinese social media site Sina Weibo appears to show a rocket booster descending on a populated area, prompting people to flee. The booster reportedly fell near Guiding County in Qiandongnan Prefecture, Guizhou province. This incident highlights the dangers associated with rocket launches, particularly those involving the Long March rockets that use toxic, hypergolic propellants.

The Long March 2C rocket utilizes a hazardous mix of nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as propellants. Witnesses noted reddish-brown gas or smoke, indicative of nitrogen tetroxide, while yellowish gas could suggest hydrazine fuel mixing with air. Both substances are highly toxic, posing severe health risks if individuals come into contact with the remaining fuel or oxidizer from the rocket stage.

Falling rocket debris has been a recurring issue with China’s launches from its three inland launch sites. Despite this, authorities typically issue warnings and evacuation notices for areas at risk from launch debris, aiming to minimize injuries and ensure public safety. These precautionary measures, while helpful, underscore the ongoing risks associated with inland rocket launches and the need for stringent safety protocols.

Key Takeaways:

  • Joint Sino-French mission aims to study Gamma-ray bursts.
  • Debris fell near Guiding County, Guizhou province, causing alarm.
  • Long March 2C uses hazardous nitrogen tetroxide and UDMH.
  • Remaining rocket fuel poses severe health risks upon contact.
  • Authorities issue warnings to minimize injury risks from launch debris.

 

 

@China Space