Chinese rocket out of control, likely to crash down on Earth

New Delhi : An out-of-control Chinese rocket is hurtling towards earth, but it is likely to land at a location where not much of the damage will be caused.

US Defence secretary rejected reports which suggested that they are planning to shoot it down before its crash impact on earth. 

"We have the capability to do a lot of things, but we don't have a plan to shoot it down as we speak," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told journalists. 

Pentagon experts expect the body of the Long March 5B rocket, which fell out of orbit after separating from Beijing's space station, to fall to the surface some time around Saturday or Sunday.

But, it is difficult to predict exact time and day of its crash.

"We're hopeful that it will land in a place where it won't harm anyone. Hopefully in the ocean, or someplace like that," Austin said.

He also mentioned that it shows carelessness by the Chinese authorities who neglected how the rocket body fall out of orbit.

"I think this speaks to the fact that, for those of us who operate in the space domain, there's a requirement, or should be a requirement to operate in a safe and thoughtful mode," said Austin.

There is a need to "make sure that we take those kinds of things into consideration as we plan and conduct operations" in space, he said.

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