EU SST (Space Surveillance and Tracking) closely monitors upcoming re-entry of space object ZQ-3 R/B, the second stage of a launch vehicle that could have a dummy payload attached
https://www.eusst.eu/newsroom/news/eu-sst-closely-monitors-upcoming-re-entry-space-object-zq-3-rb
6 Comments
This is a Chinese launch vehicle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuque-3
Polish live stream on Youtube: [Trajektoria rakiety Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3) | LIVE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhfmbF8HeEE)
Tracker which allows changing time to see predicted time over various locations: [ZQ-3 R/B – NORAD 66877 – 3D Online Satellite Tracking](https://www.satflare.com/track.asp?q=66877#TOP)
“Mass simulator” is a touch concerning. Normally payloads are made of high fragile components to maximise their mass efficiency of the satellite. If the mass simulator is something that quickly breaks up and burns then its not really worry but if its something largely solid mass or iron or concrete it may have a chance of reaching the surface.
I wonder if anyone has any information.
The opacity of the Chinese space sector and its record of poor disposal of on orbit components seems very out of date for the 2020s.
Edited to add
I know what a mass simulator is. My concern is if they are using something cheap that will not burn up easily with a vehicle that could re-eneter over populated land.
Unknown garbage in orbit with no re-entry control. Who else but China could that be?
A long march upper stage polluting the orbit? Well, that’s totally unexpected
But hey, at least it didn’t explode in LEO
With China’s luck, it will probably re-enter then crash on some poor 4000 year old Chinese village.