Body Of A Spent Chinese Rocket Became The Largest Piece Of Space Junk In Decades To Fall

Forbes: A Chinese Rocket Fell Back To Earth Totally Out Of Control

The body of a spent Chinese rocket became the largest piece of space junk in decades to fall, uncontrolled, back towards Earth on Monday.

On May 5, a Long March 5B rocket launched a prototype crew capsule resembling a SpaceX Crew Dragon to orbit for a test. After almost a week orbiting the Earth, the core stage of the large rocket re-entered our atmosphere.

It appears that whatever bits didn't completely burn up might have made it to the surface, likely splashing down into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa, according to the US military.

“It is the most massive object to make an uncontrolled reentry since the 39-tonne Salyut-7 in 1991,” wrote Jonathan McDowell, a prominent Harvard astrophysicist who tracks objects in orbit, on Twitter.

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WNU Editor: That is one big rocket.

More News On China's Latest Space Launch

One of the largest uncontrolled pieces of space debris fell down to Earth today -- CNN
Massive Chinese rocket falls back to Earth, largest in decades -- NYPost
Massive piece of Chinese space junk slams uncontrolled into Earth's atmosphere -- Live Science