Update 05/09/2021 1:31pm:
Debris from a rocket launched by China in late April was reportedly expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere on late Saturday or early Sunday. News of the rocket debris coming back to Earth went viral, with many wondering what would happen upon the return and also where the debris would be landing. Now, it has been reported that the debris has landed in the ocean, avoiding any type of crisis.
According to reports, parts of the debris landed in the Indian Ocean, not too far from the Maldives. Other parts of the debris reportedly landed in the Dead Sea, in Jordan. Unconfirmed video of the debris falling over Jordan has surfaced, with reports claiming the biggest piece of debris was almost the size of a Mack truck. Take a look above.
source: TMZ
Original 05/07/2021 5:08pm:
Debris from a rocket launched by China in late April is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere sometime late Saturday or early Sunday, according to experts and officials.
The debris is 10-stories tall and weighs twice as much as a school bus, which is drawing concern, as experts aren't sure where it will land. There's a small chance it could hit New York, Los Angeles, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, the Nigerian capital of Abuja, or Beijing, but California-based Aerospace Corporation believes there's a 75% chance it will land in the ocean. It adds that 60-80% of the rocket remnant will burn up — but the rest will likely hit ground or water.
Don Pollacco, a physics professor at England's University of Warwick, weighed in on the situation, stating, "This is like playing the lottery. You have got a big lump of metal in space that's in a declining orbit because it's rubbing up against the atmosphere. It will hit the atmosphere, bounce around a bit and it's correct to say most of the planet is covered by water, so that's where it will likely land."
