Chinese researchers plan to fire more than 20 of the nation s largest rockets into space in hopes to potentially divert doomsday asteroids that could impose massive destruction and end life on Earth.
The 23 Long March 5 rockets that weighs 992 tons (900 metric tons) are expected to deflect the 85.5-million-ton (77.5 million metric ton) asteroid Bennu. The space rock which is the size of the Empire State Building could hit Earth in 1 out of 2,700 chances, but would leave behind a historic catastrophic event.
The asteroid impact - 1,200 megatons of kinetic energy - could hit Earth with an collision that is roughly 80,000 times greater than the energy of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, and as destructive as the 100-million-megaton space rock that wiped out the dinosaurs some 65 million years ago.
Space experts slam China for playing the odds with negligent, out-of-control rocket re-entry
Hong Kong Criticism is raining down on China after the remnants of its out-of-control Long March rocket crashed into the Indian Ocean on Sunday. It is clear that China is failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris, said NASA administrator Bill Nelson, a former astronaut and senator. Spacefaring nations must minimize the risks to people and property on Earth of re-entries of space objects and maximize transparency regarding those operations.
The massive 100-foot, 20-ton hulk of the Long March 5B caused global concern last week as it spun around the planet at 18,000 miles an hour once every 90 minutes. The rocket blasted off from China s southern island of Hainan on April 29, successfully ferrying the first module of China s new space station into orbit.
Debris from Chinese rocket re-enters Earth s atmosphere over Indian Ocean By Sophie Lewis Chinese rocket debris falls over Indian Ocean
A huge piece of space junk made an uncontrolled re-entry back into Earth s atmosphere Saturday night. The remnants of a Chinese rocket re-entered the atmosphere and crashed into the Indian Ocean north of Maldives, according to the 18th Space Control Squadron.
According to the U.S. Space Force, the remnants re-entered the atmosphere at 10:15 p.m. ET over the Arabian Peninsula. It was unknown if the debris impacted land or water.
China s space agency said the rocket re-entered the atmosphere at 10:24 p.m. ET, but also pinpointed the landing area just north of the Maldives. The Chinese space agency said most of the rocket was destroyed during re-entry.
Chinese rocket: Lagos, New York named among cities wia big Chinese rocket segment fit fall as e make its way to land for Earth
By Jonathan Amos
Wia dis foto come from, Getty Images
Wetin we call dis foto,
Dem launch di rocket to carry one Chinese space station section into orbit
Parts from one Chinese rocket dey expected to fall back to Earth for one uncontrolled re-entry dis weekend.
Dem use di main segment from di Long March-5b vehicle to launch di first module of China new space station last month.
At 18 tonnes, na one of di largest items for decades wey go get undirected dive into di atmosphere.