In the early hours of May 9, the second stage of the Chinese launcher returned from space Long March 5B (CZ-5B R / B), identified with the international code 2021-035B, after having held the whole world in suspense for a few days in consideration of the latitudes involved (between 41,5N and 41,5S approximately) and the potential fall of fragments of the rocket which also included the central-southern and island regions of Italy.
The event attracted the attention of civil and military institutions, determining, in support of the Civil Protection, the activation of the capabilities of Space Situational Awareness (SSA), and in particular of Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) of the Air Force, which fall within the competence of the Ministry of Defense, in competition with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and with the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF).
In this context, the AM activated itself through the Center for Space Situational Awareness (C-SSA) of Aerospace Operations Command (COA) of Poggio Renatico, which carries out the functions of Italian Space Surveillance and Tracking Operation Center (ISOC), supported by the Experimental Flight Department - Aero-Space Engineering Group (RSV-GIAS) of Pratica di Mare, from Joint Forces Polygon of Salto di Quirra (PISQ) which manages some of the sensors for the SST, including the Multi-Frequency Doppler Radar (MFDR) and some optical sensors, as well as with the industrial and operational support of the Vitrociset and GMSpazio companies, continuously monitoring the event.
The AM, thanks to the skills and professionalism acquired in the specific sector, in full synergy with the newly established Space Operations Command and jointly with ASI, provided a unique support on the evolution of the return event, in terms of quality and reactivity, both to the Technical Table of the Civil Protection Department (DPC) convened for the management of any consequent emergency on the national territory, as well as al Interforze Summit Operational Command (COI) for the mitigation of any impacts on national contingents engaged in operations outside national borders.
The forecasts developed by the C-SSA / ISOC AM proved to be correct and the direct contribution of the aforementioned sensors, during the operational activities carried out in the night between 8 May and 9 May, gradually made it possible to exclude the areas of interest potentially affected by the return, allowing, immediately downstream, in line with other authoritative sources, including the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) of the USA, to declare the object returned to an area between the Eastern Mediterranean and the South Pacific.
