The Long March rocket was launched into space by China carrying the initial module for the nation’s first permanent space station.
This was successfully detached, with the rocket entering a decaying orbit that will see it plunge back to Earth in the coming days.
A spokesperson from the Department of Home Affairs told nine.com.au the government was monitoring the situation.
“It is too early to know the exact timing and location of the re-entry but the risk to populated areas in Australia is very low,” the spokesperson said.
“Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available regarding the trajectory and re-entry of the space object.”
Much of the rocket is expected to burn up on re-entry.
As long as the launch was carried out within the auspices of Chinese law, it is considered legitimate – there is no international legal framework for rocket launches except for the expectation the operation is monitored and authorised by domestic authorities.
On the other hand, according to the 1972 Liability Convention, the launching nation is liable for any damage caused by a space object hitting the Earth’s surface.
But on the two applicable occasions this has happened in the past, no action has been taken, and it’s unlikely any government would seek to recoup damage costs from Beijing.
In 1979, a piece of NASA’s Skylab fell to Earth near the town of Esperance in Western Australia. The government took no action, but the town issued a fine for littering.
“It’s clear to everyone that the safety, security and sustainability of space activities are becoming more and more urgent, but political processes get in the way of forming new law,” she said.
“We, therefore, have to rely on the power of naming and shaming those who act irresponsibly. This might not seem much, but in today’s geopolitical reality, it can be very effective.”
This content first appear on 9news