[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It has been confirmed that the predicted crash zone of the debris from China's space launch vehicle Long March 5B does not include the Korean Peninsula.
On the 7th, the Air Force disclosed this analysis result, stating that it held a joint video conference with the United States Space Command's Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) to prepare for the debris fall of the Long March 5B rocket.
According to the Air Force, the uncontrolled Long March 5B rocket debris weighs 22.5 tons and is currently about 280 km above the Earth, approaching the Earth by about 1 to 2 km daily. It is expected to enter the atmosphere around the 8th to 9th Korean Standard Time. Although the predicted crash zone does not include the Korean Peninsula, the Air Force stated that the possibility of debris falling on the Korean Peninsula during atmospheric re-entry cannot be ruled out due to various variables.
Accordingly, the Air Force Space Information Situation Room is closely cooperating with the U.S. Combined Space Operations Center and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, continuously exchanging surveillance information and maintaining a state of readiness.
In the morning meeting, Lieutenant Colonel Choi Seong-hwan, head of the Air Force Space Information Situation Room, and Lieutenant Colonel Heather Witz from the U.S. Space Command's Strategic Planning Office, along with space-related officials from Japan, Germany, and others, attended to share each military's space surveillance and analysis results and to seek joint response measures.
Lieutenant Colonel Choi said, "The probability of some debris from Long March 5B falling on the Korean Peninsula is very low, but since it may deviate from its main orbit, it is difficult to accurately determine the expected time and location of the crash." He added, "The Air Force will prepare in advance for all possible cases and respond promptly in cooperation with the U.S. Combined Space Operations Center."
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