The core of a Chinese rocket launched on April 29 is expected to come crashing down into Earth’s atmosphere sometime this weekend on May 8 or 9. The problem with this is that not only is the rocket piece traveling at about 18,000 miles per hour, about 10 stories tall, and about as heavy as two school buses, no one knows where it will land.  

While it is normal for rockets to return to Earth, usually the landing is controlled or predicted. Unfortunately, this rocket core’s unpredictability due to lack of control means that it can land anywhere. From a small town in South Africa to all the way across the ocean on top of the Statue of Liberty, nowhere is guaranteed protection. 

Although this may seem like bad news (and definitely is), the chance of the rocket actually harming someone or even interrupting human activity is very low. The California-based Aerospace Corporation states that about 60 to 80 percent of the rocket core will burn up upon entering the atmosphere and the rest will likely land in the ocean or wilderness. 

Even if the rocket debris lands and doesn’t cause harm this weekend, countries are starting to launch more rockets into space, which may end up causing damage here on Earth or even other spacecraft in orbit.

By Connor Ku