Mystery over the dazzling trail seen soaring through the heavens
On the night of August 11, 2021, stargazers across the globe were treated to a unique spectacle during the Perseids meteor shower. A bright light streaked across the sky, initially mistaken for a meteor, but later identified as space debris from the final stage of the Chinese Jielong-3 rocket re-entering Earth's atmosphere.
The Jielong-3, a four-stage orbital launch vehicle, had been used by the Chinese authorities for a programmed launch. In this instance, the rocket was deployed to test autonomous driving and vehicle communication services for Geely Automotive.
The re-entry produced a long, grazing trajectory with glowing fragments, a characteristic of space debris. Witnesses in Menorca and the Costa del Sol were treated to a dazzling display of glowing fragments breaking apart in the sky.
Unfortunately, this event was not linked to Elon Musk or his projects, despite being misattributed by many publications. This incident serves as a reminder of the common misconceptions surrounding space events and the individuals involved in them.
The practice of lowering the orbit of a rocket after deployment is a common method to minimize collision risks and the accumulation of orbital junk. This maneuver was performed by the Jielong-3 rocket after deploying its payload.
In conclusion, the bright light observed during the Perseids meteor shower was not a meteor but space debris from the Chinese Jielong-3 rocket. This event highlights the importance of accurate reporting in the field of space exploration and the need to avoid hasty conclusions or misattributions.
The Chinese Jielong-3 rocket, originally deployed for testing autonomous driving and vehicle communication services for Geely Automotive, was responsible for the bright light observed during the Perseids meteor shower. This incident, which resulted in a dazzling display of glowing fragments, underscores the significance of accurate reporting in the realm of space-and-astronomy, particularly in relation to the various scientific and technological projects operating in space.
