First Long March 5B uncontrolled reentry (May 2020)

On 11 May 2020, the core stage from the first flight of the Long March 5B made an uncontrolled re-entry, with debris reportedly recovered on the ground in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). At roughly 18–20 tonnes, the stage was among the heaviest objects to re-enter uncontrolled in decades.

The start of a pattern This was the first in a series of Long March 5B uncontrolled re-entries tied to China's space-station construction. The rocket's unusual design — putting its huge core stage directly into orbit — meant each launch left a very large body to re-enter on its own, drawing repeated international criticism over the following years.

Why it mattered Unlike re-entries that fall harmlessly into the ocean, the 2020 event reportedly produced debris over a populated area, sharpening concern that the practice could eventually cause damage or injury on the ground.