Mystery deepens as China denies ownership of rocket due to crash into Moon

Conflicting reports heighten confusion over who is responsible for space debris

A yacht sails off the coast of Sydney, Australia, as the Moon rises. A total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Flower Blood Moon, took place on Wednesday night. AP

The Super Flower Blood Moon rises over the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, near Athens, Greece. Reuters

The total lunar eclipse was visible above Hong Kong. The Moon appeared slightly reddish in colour. AFP

People watch the eclipse from the Central Radio and TV Tower in Beijing, China. It was the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years. AP

The Super Flower Blood Moon rises over the Buddhist Plaosan temple in Klaten regency, Central Java province, Indonesia. It is estimated that the temple was built in the 9th century. Reuters

Sculptures on St Isaac's Cathedral are silhouetted as the Moon rises above St Petersburg, Russia. AP

A full moon rises over Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Super Flower Blood Moon was one of this year’s two supermoons, which occur when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth. Antonie Robertson / The National

The biggest and brightest supermoon of the year shine above Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The Moon appears slightly reddish over Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National.

The supermoon, which causes the Moon to appear larger than usual, shines behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reuters

Stargazers in Santa Monica, California, were among those able to enjoy the event. It was one of two supermoons this year. AP

The supermoon appears slightly reddish as it rises over Brasilia, Brazil. AP

Lunar eclipse is observed over dome of Al Azhar Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA

Plants are silhouetted against the Super Flower Blood Moon as it rises over of Chile. EPA

The Moon appears larger than usual as it rises above the Barangaroo tower in Sydney. AP

The full moon rises over Dubai. It was the second of two supermoons this year. AFP

The Super Flower Blood Moon was visible through low clouds above San Diego, California. Reuters

A stargazer takes in the celestial event from a castle in Skopje, North Macedonia. EPA

A full moon rises over Buenos Aires, Argentina, before the total lunar eclipse, which occurs when the Moon passes through Earth's shadow. EPA

China has denied ownership of a rocket set to crash into the lunar surface on March 4.

It was first identified as a SpaceX rocket, but then astronomers said it was remnants from China’s Long March 3C rocket that launched the Chang’e 5-T1 lunar robotic spacecraft in 2014.

However, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed the rocket booster had burnt up upon re-entry a year after launch.

“The Chinese side has noted experts’ analysis and media reports on the matter recently. According to China’s monitoring, the upper stage of the Chang’e-5 mission rocket has fallen through the Earth’s atmosphere in a safe manner and burnt up completely,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

The response did little to clear up confusion as Mr Wang appeared to accidentally mention the Chang’e-5 mission — China’s Moon mission that launched in 2020 — in his comments, instead of the 2014 launch he was asked about by the Associated Press.

Space tracking data from the US Space Force also shows the Chinese booster from 2014 had re-entered the atmosphere in October 2015, according to SpaceNews.

However, Nasa issued an analysis stating it was Chinese debris from the Chang’e 5-T1 launch.

“China’s aerospace endeavours are always in keeping with international law. We are committed to earnestly safeguarding the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and are ready to have extensive exchanges and co-operation with all sides,” Mr Wang said.

The debris is set to crash into the far side of the Moon, creating a large crater upon impact.

Data analyst Bill Gray was the first to discover the uncontrolled debris heading towards the Moon.

He first identified it as a booster of a SpaceX rocket, but then issued a correction on his blog saying it was a Chinese rocket.

Students from the University of Arizona also claim the rocket is Chinese.

“We took a spectrum [which can reveal the material make-up of an object] and compared it with Chinese and SpaceX rockets of similar types, and it matches the Chinese rocket,” said Vishnu Reddy, an associate professor at the university.

“This is the best match and we have the best possible evidence at this point.”

While it is still not clear who is responsible for the space debris, the events have added to the concerns of astronomers who say space debris needs better tracking.

Rockets usually save enough fuel to be brought back to Earth's atmosphere and burn up, but some are discarded in space and fall into unknown orbits.

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