Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), through the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), has confirmed that the bright light sighted in the skies over Sabah early last Monday (Nov 9) was caused by a rocket launch by the People’s Republic of China.
In a statement, MYSA said the Long March 12 rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Centre in Wenchang, Hainan, China, at precisely 4.24 am local time.
According to MYSA, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) had also identified the possibility of debris from the launch mission falling within a designated drop zone in the waters of the Philippine archipelago.
“The debris drop zone is estimated to be about 25 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 19 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, within Philippine territorial waters,” it said.
MYSA said no official reports had been received so far regarding the discovery of any debris from the rocket launch within Malaysian sovereign territory.
Members of the public who come across any suspicious objects believed to be related to the launch have been urged to contact the Space Regulatory Division immediately at 03-8885 8685 or via email at bpadg@mosti.gov.my.
