Uncontrolled debris from massive Chinese booster rocket could hit Earth Saturday

Debris from a massive Chinese booster rocket is estimated to arrive back to Earth on Saturday, according to the Aerospace Corporation. While it will largely burn up on return, there remains a slight risk of fragments causing damage or casualties.

Aerospace Corporation predicts the booster will reenter the atmosphere around 1:15 p.m. EDT, give or take an hour. The exact point of reentry is not clear, and the company said "it is still too early to determine a meaningful debris footprint."

The booster, which China decided not to guide back through the atmosphere, has drawn attention from the space community. It was part of the massive 23-ton Long March 5B-Y3 rocket — China's most powerful — that carried the Wentian module to the station, aboard which three astronauts currently reside.