reentry
Long March 5B uncontrolled reentry (July 2022)
July 30, 2022
The 23-ton CZ-5B core stage from the Wentian launch made an uncontrolled reentry over the Sulu Sea and Borneo. Debris was reported in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Following the launch of China's Wentian space station module, the Long March 5B core stage entered orbit and could not be deorbited under control. The 23-tonne stage reentered uncontrolled approximately 5 days after launch. Some debris reached the ground in Sarawak, Malaysia. This is a recurring concern: each CZ-5B launch has resulted in similar uncontrolled reentries.
Sources & further reading
Professional tracking & space domain awareness
- LeoLabs — commercial radar tracking & orbital intelligence
- Space-Track.org — US Space Force public catalogue
- CelesTrak — orbital element sets & analysis
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