Is China's space debris dangerous?

Synopsis

People around the world will watch the skies this weekend as a 21-ton Chinese rocket is set to plunge back to Earth. This rocket, which took off last week carrying a core module for China's future space station, is in an uncontrolled free-fall. Chinese authorities claim the risk of danger is low, stating that most of the rocket will burn up in the atmosphere. However, experts express concern about the potential for dangerous debris to escape incineration. The European Space Agency's Tim Flora notes that while it is common for about 150 tons of space debris to return to Earth each year, the size of this rocket makes the situation particularly alarming. The international space community remains on alert as the exact landing location of the rocket is still unknown, raising questions about the safety of people around and aviation in the vicinity.