A 21-metric-ton core stage is on its way back to Earth. Around 16 hours will be given or taken on November 4. This is the fourth time that a remnant from China's Long March 5B rocket has posed a threat. The third and final module, called Mengtian, was delivered from the Long March 5B to the space station. The Long March 5B is not allowed to be steered away from populated areas due to the fact that most rocket stages are brought down. China's space agency has left it up to chance as to where it will land with its heavy-lift launch vehicle.
We have to guess where the core stage may fall. The Center for Orbital Reentry and Debris Studies is keeping an eye on the object. The company predicts that the re-entry will take place at 10:31 pm. On Friday, November 4th and Saturday, November 5th, you can watch. The time is U.S. time The data from the U.S. Space Force's Space Surveillance Network is used to come up with estimates.
It is not yet known where the debris will land. Thedebris footprint will become constrained over time, but if the prior episodes were any indication, we won't know until the minutes prior to re-entry. One hour error in the re-entry time equates to a 17,500 mile error in the crash location.
The Long March 5B core stage has crashed in an uncontrollable manner before. In the past, debris fell onto an inhabited area along the west coast of Africa, into the Indian Ocean, and into northern Borneo. Scientists are concerned that this could happen, but no one has been hurt or killed.
There are photos of the launch of the falcon heavy with military payload.
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