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Yikes! A space rocket is plummeting back to Earth & Malta is currently in its red zone
Well, shit…

Jillian Mallia

A rocket from a Chinese spaceship was launched as planned into space last month, carrying a space station section into orbit. All well and good, we love us some space info. However, this is where things get complicated.

The rocket is rapidly plummeting back to Earth (not planned) weighing 18 tonnes and it’s “one of the largest items in decades to have an undirected dive into the atmosphere,” as reported by BBC. Ajma hej!

rocket

The US said it was watching the rocket’s path but there are not plans to shoot it down as yet. “We’re hopeful that it will land in a place where it won’t harm anyone,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reportedly said. “Hopefully in the ocean, or someplace like that.”

So, what about Malta?

According to a diagram by Orbit.ing-now published on the BBC, Malta falls within the red zone – not smack in the middle, thankfully, but still in the red zone. According to reports, the probability of it hitting Malta is minimum. Hopefully more of the rocket’s core will decay as time goes by, with experts estimating its landing between late Saturday and early Sunday (local time). However, there’s a certain degree of uncertainty that comes with such predictions.

rocket

7th May 2021


Jillian Mallia
Written by
Jillian Mallia
A book lover, writer and globetrotter who loves exploring new places and the local gems that the Maltese Islands have to offer. An avid foodie and arts fanatic, Jillian searches the island and beyond for the perfect settings to write about.

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