The state of Michigan is on alert for a possible space debris landing as an out-of-control Chinese space station is set to make landfall sometime in the next few days.
Gov. Rick Snyder, R-Mich., activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center this week in anticipation for China’s Tiangong-1 space station to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere this weekend, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The Aerospace Corporation said the 8.5 ton space station has the potential to hit the southern lower peninsula of Michigan, although it is unlikely. The space debris may contain hydrazine, a highly toxic and corrosive substance and anyone who comes in contact with it is asked to stay away and call 911.
Our current prediction of the #Tiangong1 reentry is April 1 at 20:30 UTC ± 8 hours. Further updates can be found here: https://t.co/olNmewiNFH… pic.twitter.com/YeWTot9QWI
— TheAerospaceCorp (@AerospaceCorp) March 31, 2018
“When considering the worst-case location… the probability that a specific person (i.e., you) will be struck by Tiangong-1 debris is about 1 million times smaller than the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot,” the Aerospace Corporation said in a statement.
While it’s still hard for experts to predict where the station will exactly land, the latest update from Space.com said the space station will likely make make impact sometime between Sunday evening and early Monday morning.
