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EU Tracks Uncontrolled Reentry of Chinese ZQ-3 Rocket Stage Today as Forecast Narrows Toward Northern Europe

The object’s orbit creates a broad potential impact band across mid‑latitudes.

Overview

  • Updated forecasts put reentry near 11:20 UTC on January 30 with uncertainty under one hour, according to the latest reports.
  • Early maps that included parts of France are being revised, with probable ground tracks shifting toward northern Europe.
  • EU Space Surveillance and Tracking is actively monitoring the object and refining estimates using its sensor network.
  • Belgian authorities have advised the public to avoid any fallen fragments and to alert law enforcement rather than handle objects.
  • The rocket stage, launched by China’s LandSpace on December 3 and estimated at about 11 tonnes and 12–13 meters, appears to be breaking up uncontrollably as researchers also highlight seismometer-based methods to speed debris localization.