Virtual Telescope Project 2.0 published a photo on Thursday showing the CZ-5 rocket some 700 kilometers (435 miles) from its robotic telescope "Elena."
The image, captured by Italian astrophysicist and astronomer Gianluca Masi on Thursday, showed the rocket body glowing brightly. According to the telescope's data, the CZ-5 rocket was traveling with an apparent motion of 0.3 deg/second.
"This is a huge debris (22 tons, 30 meters long and 5 meters wide), but it is unlikely it could create serious damages. Of course, such an event reminds us about the importance of the space debris issue," Masi wrote.
#CZ5B space debris, imaged a few hours ago by @masi_gianluca with our robotic telescopes. This is expected to re-entry our atmospjhere in a few days. #LongMarch5B #Tianhe1 #reentry @planet4589
— Virtual Telescope (@VirtualTelescop) May 6, 2021
👇 pic.twitter.com/NawwplrLMJ
Experts believe the rocket will re-enter Earth's atmosphere on May 8 or 9, but it is difficult to identify an impact area at this time.
Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, was recently able to narrow down the possible strike zone for the Long March 5B.
Возможная область падения
— РОГОЗИН (@Rogozin) May 6, 2021
ступени ракеты-носителя «CZ-5B»
(№ международный - 2021-035B) pic.twitter.com/A4b1zyBwTW
Roscosmos is one of several space organizations monitoring the Long March body's coordinates.
US Space Command is also tracking the rocket, according to Wednesday remarks by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.
"We want to work with the international community to promote leadership and responsible space behaviours," Psaki claimed, when asked about space congestion and debris. "It’s the shared interests of all nations to act responsibly in space to ensure the safety, stability, security and long-term sustainability about outer activity."
While experts have expressed doubt about the rocket being a cause for alarm, space agencies will not have concrete answers until the rocket re-enters Earth's atmosphere.
