Long March 5B stage falls to Earth near Malaysia
New data now suggests that the core stage of China’s Long March 5B rocket that it launched on July 24th has crashed to Earth somewhere off the coast of the island of Borneo, Malaysia.
As of writing, there is no indication that any debris hit land, though this could change.
In violation of the Outer Space Treaty, China very clearly has done nothing to upgrade the Long March 5B since it dumped a core stage uncontrolled last year. It very clearly can do nothing to prevent this from happening in October, when the Long March 5B lifts off again to carry into orbit the last planned module for the Tiangong station.
In other words, China cannot be relied upon to honor any treaty it signs. It signs the treaty, but then willfully ignores it if it thinks that is to its best interest.
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New data now suggests that the core stage of China’s Long March 5B rocket that it launched on July 24th has crashed to Earth somewhere off the coast of the island of Borneo, Malaysia.
As of writing, there is no indication that any debris hit land, though this could change.
In violation of the Outer Space Treaty, China very clearly has done nothing to upgrade the Long March 5B since it dumped a core stage uncontrolled last year. It very clearly can do nothing to prevent this from happening in October, when the Long March 5B lifts off again to carry into orbit the last planned module for the Tiangong station.
In other words, China cannot be relied upon to honor any treaty it signs. It signs the treaty, but then willfully ignores it if it thinks that is to its best interest.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
China is a bully nation.
It will do anything it wants as long as no one can stop it. Like a bully.
“Don’t trust China, China is [Expletive]”
October 2019
https://youtu.be/8fwgVUfW_O4
0:23
Communists are acting like Communists? Inconceivable
Mr. Zimmerman:
What is the legal liability for allowing an uncontrolled reentry that descends on an inhabited area? In my ignorance of space law I am assuming that the launcher of what becomes debris falling on someone’s head/house/business would have complete liability for damages and/or injury, but is this actually established international law?
And does anyone know how someone could actually collect damages from the CCP for such an injury to person or property?
Personally I think the launcher of such material that becomes uncontrolled debris falling out of the sky would be, both in fact and in law, guilty of gross negligence, but since IANAL (nor do I play one on the ‘Net) I have no idea what the actual legal implications are.
Is there a source you know of offhand that could better inform me than my current Google-fu is doing?
Thank you.
Blackwing1: As I wrote in the post, China is a signatory of the Outer Space Treaty, which makes it liable for any damages caused by anything it launches. See Article 7:
The treaty also says that this liability shall be enforced based on other treaties.
In reality, I have no idea how anyone can sue China, or obtain satisfaction, if it refuses to provide it.
Let me add, other than war.
For Romanized, culture-appropriate dialect, please use No baleev Chahnah; Chahnah ahh ahhz-ho. Referring exclusively to the CCP, of course. Also, ♪ It’s my culture, I’ll ‘propriate if I want to ♪
US courts would take the case and if found guilty the US state department would take over.
The US state department would collect any damages by any way possible up to and including confiscation of imports and there sale to pay the debt.
They use this system to also collect on medical charges for a non citizen who gets medical treatment in the US and does not have insurance.
Insurance companies have international agreements between themselves in order to pay the bills.
Mexico has not signed this medical bill treaty/agreement. For one it can not afford to pay for all the medical treatment illegals use in the US and the US government does not collect by confiscation because Mexico does not have enough exports to the US to even make a dent in the bills. We would essentially end all trade with Mexico
Mr. Z;
“In other words, China cannot be relied upon to honor any treaty it signs. It signs the treaty, but then willfully ignores it if it thinks that is to its best interest.”
So true. I will add:
I commented once previously. In a long ago job, I worked for a Japanese semiconductor equipment company as a field service engineer, supporting national and international customers.
We did not sell to China.
Without exception, my Japanese counter parts, all levels of engineering and management, agreed and stated throughout my years working in that capacity, that the Chinese lie, unless it was in their best interest, AND that it was OUR problem in allowing the results (of the Chinese lie). IT IS OUR PROBLEM OF SPACE JUNK FALLING FROM THE SKIES, I add.
I defer to those of greater insight to the (Chinese) / CCP philosophy for greater clarity.
Signed: (Not Chicken Little)
More on the re-entry
https://www.space.com/china-rocket-debris-reentry-skywatcher-videos
Then we have this little video from the World Economic Forum.
“Block out the Sun!”
With space bubbles the size of Brazil.
That’s almost as realistic as their interest rate and energy and foreign policy plans have turned out to be!
https://youtu.be/AP8B4M0EYAc?t=154
Complete maniacs are now permanently destroying the Western world. I’m sad to see it.
Not that China’s refusal to abide by the Sino-British Agreement of 1984 wasn’t a clue, I suppose.
It seems to me that the obvious thing to do would be to do would be to accuse them of deliberately targeting us.
Because that is exactly what they would do.