The second stage of the Changzheng 5B launch vehicle, which launched a module of the Chinese space station into orbit, could enter the dense layers of the atmosphere on May 9 over the Pacific Ocean, TASS reported, citing the press service of Roscosmos.
“According to calculations, as of May 7, the object could enter the atmosphere during the night in Moscow time on May 9 over the Pacific Ocean,” noted Roscosmos.
The state corporation emphasizes that the object is constantly losing its height in orbit.
The Changzheng 5B launch vehicle was launched from the Wanchang Cosmodrome on April 29 and launched the main module “Tianhu” (“Celestial Harmony”) of the future Chinese modular space station. Its second stage has no means for active maneuvering and performs an uncontrolled exit from orbit.
–
