The Pacific Ocean has seen an experimental Russian rocket burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, with some small fragments likely to land in the sea. 

Angara A-5, a heavy-carrier rocket, was launched December 27, and was supposed to orbit at 22,000 miles above Earth’s surface. However, a failure of firing the upper stage put it in low Earth orbit for 9 days before it fell into the atmosphere.

Persei’s upperstage re-entered into the atmosphere at 21.08 GMT. It was located over the South Pacific Ocean. Space Force 18th Space Control Squadron confirms. 

Experts believe it is impossible to pinpoint exactly the exact location of small fragments from the booster, which weighs in at 4 tonnes. However it appears that they were likely found in the Pacific Ocean.

The new-generation Angara A-5 heavy carrier rocket was launched on December 27 from Plesetsk spaceport carrying a dummy payload

Angara’s A-5 heavy transport rocket, carrying a payload dummy, was launched December 27th from Plesetsk Spaceport. 

The upper stage of an experimental Russian rocket burnt up in Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean, with small pieces of debris likely landing in the water

An experimental Russian rocket’s upper stage caught fire in Earth’s atmosphere above the Pacific Ocean. Small pieces of debris may have landed in the ocean.

Russia has a goal to place advanced weapon navigation and spy satellites on orbit within the next few years, which is why Russia uses an Angara A-5 rocket.

According to Holger Krag (head of European Space Agency’s Space Debris Office), the satellite traveled 4.7 miles per second when it entered the atmosphere.

It is located in the same region as where satellite agencies launch rockets to return to Earth from controlled entries.   

The area is also known as Point Nemo. It is located more than 1000 miles away from any civilisation. 

It is located within the South Pacific Gyre. The rotating current prevents any nutrient rich water from coming into the area. Life can be scarce. 

Russia will use the heavy-lift launch vehicle to help it achieve its ambitions of sending robots, and ultimately people, to the Moon. This is in collaboration with China.

On this groundbreaking test flight, the Persei booster and Angara carried a payload for a satellite mock-up that was intended to be placed in a cemetery orbit.

Although the launch went smoothly, the Persei’s upper stage failed to separate 12 minutes after it was separated.

It did not launch its boosters, which would have taken it and the payload beyond low Earth orbit. This caused it to sit at about 150 miles above Earth.  

Although many satellites and rocket stage re-enter our atmosphere every day, it is not uncommon for one to fall uncontrollably without knowing whereabouts.

The Angara A-5 heavy carrier rocket launched on December 27 from Plesetsk spaceport carrying a dummy payload and was set to reach an orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth's surface, but a failure in firing of the upper stage left it in low Earth orbit

Angara A-5 was a heavy carrier rocket that launched December 27 from Plesetsk. The payload included a dummy. But, due to a malfunction in the firing of its upper stage, it was placed in low Earth orbit.

At around 5:30pm ET, the 18th Space Control Squadron ‘confirmed the reentry of the IPM 3/PERSEY (#50505, 2021-133A) at 13:08 PDT [4:08pm ET] on 5 Jan, 2022, over the Pacific Ocean,’ the agency shared in a tweet

At around 5:30pm ET, the 18th Space Control Squadron ‘confirmed the reentry of the IPM 3/PERSEY (#50505, 2021-133A) at 13:08 PDT [4:08pm ET] on 5 Jan, 2022, over the Pacific Ocean,’ the agency shared in a tweet 

As a Chinese rocket of 201 tonnes was about to return to Earth, May saw the whole world turn their attention to the sky. However, no one could predict when or where. 

It could possibly land in densely populated areas. New York is one possibility. 

The Long March rocket stage was able to withstand reentry north of Maldives above the Indian Ocean.

Bill Nelson of NASA, criticised Beijing. He insisted that it was critical for China to act responsibly and transparently within space. 

In a statement, he stated that “Spacefaring countries must minimize the risk to humans and property on Earth from re-entries of space objects and maximize transparency about those operations.”

“It’s clear that China has failed to uphold responsible standards in relation to their space debris.”

ANGARA ROCKET FAMILY: THE FUTURE OF RUSSIAN HEAVY LIFT 

Moscow-based Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center has been developing the Angara rocket family. 

The payloads, which will range from 8,400 to 54,000lb in weight, will go into low earth orbit. 

Angara also developed the second Angara heavy lift rocket vehicle A5 – with a payload of 24.5 tonnes for low Earth orbit. 

Angara A5 was first tested on December 23, 2014. A second test flight took place on December 27, 2021. Both from Plesetsk.

The second test resulted in the failure of the Persei’s upper stage and the failure of the payload.