2001/26

PAN PANArchived

Received: 7 Oct 2026, 23:17Archived: 10 Oct 2026, 15:03Updated: 4 Nov 2026, 19:33

analysisNotable

No longer in force

Space debris hazardous operations in area south of Africa (bounded area in S Atlantic/E Indian Ocean)

Hazardous space debris operations (re-entries/debris risk) in a large area south of Africa. Multiple daily activity periods listed from 08 Oct to 16 Oct with a self-cancel date of 15 Oct. The area is defined by a polygon of six positions between about 38S and 60S and 014-027E. Mariners should avoid the area during the stated periods.

Avoid the defined area during the stated activity periods and maintain a sharp lookout. Navigate clear of the polygon and follow any instructions from coastal authorities.

Background

This notice warns of hazardous space debris re-entry or associated range safety operations over the southern Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Such warnings are usually issued for debris from rocket stages or re-entering spacecraft during planned re-entry windows. The elongated polygon covers probable trajectory and impact-risk corridors south of Africa where debris can fall into remote ocean areas. Mariners and operators are warned because fragments can reach the surface with significant kinetic energy.

General background from general knowledge, not from the official warning. It can be wrong; the warning text is authoritative.

Type: Space debris · severity high
Feed: Rocket launches and space debrisAll warnings of this kind on the map (contributors), or as an API feed: /api/v2/feeds/space/
Location: Area south of Africa (Eastern Indian Ocean / South Atlantic) bounded by positions listed below
Validity: From 08 Oct 2026, 10:06 UTC
Until 15 Oct 2026, 11:08 UTC081006Z TO 081101Z, 090958Z TO 091053Z 100951Z TO 101046Z, 110943Z TO 111038Z 120936Z TO 121031Z, 130928Z TO 131023Z 140921Z TO 141016Z, 150913Z TO 151008Z AND 160905Z TO 161001Z OCT ... CANCEL THIS MSG 151108Z OCT 26.
Activity periods: 08 Oct 2026, 10:06 UTC - 08 Oct 2026, 11:01 UTC (activity period 08 Oct)
09 Oct 2026, 09:58 UTC - 09 Oct 2026, 10:53 UTC (activity period 09 Oct)
10 Oct 2026, 09:51 UTC - 10 Oct 2026, 10:46 UTC (activity period 10 Oct)
11 Oct 2026, 09:43 UTC - 11 Oct 2026, 10:38 UTC (activity period 11 Oct)
12 Oct 2026, 09:36 UTC - 12 Oct 2026, 10:31 UTC (activity period 12 Oct)
13 Oct 2026, 09:28 UTC - 13 Oct 2026, 10:23 UTC (activity period 13 Oct)
14 Oct 2026, 09:21 UTC - 14 Oct 2026, 10:16 UTC (activity period 14 Oct)
15 Oct 2026, 09:13 UTC - 15 Oct 2026, 10:08 UTC (activity period 15 Oct)
16 Oct 2026, 09:05 UTC - 16 Oct 2026, 10:01 UTC (activity period 16 Oct (listed))
Hazards: space debris
Cancels: 1935/26 (archived)

Coast stations for this area

RCCMRCC Cape TownSouth Africa279 NM from the area
DSCDSC Station Cape Town RadioMRCC Cape TownSouth AfricaMMSI 006010001HF279 NM from the area

Generated automatically from the warning text on 08 Oct 2026, 14:08 UTC. It can be wrong: the original warning below is the authoritative text.

Keywords

Space Debrisspace debris
Geometry refsbounded
Dangerous Areahazardous operations
Geometry phrasesbound by

Message content

EASTERN INDIAN OCEAN. SOUTH ATLANTIC. 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 081006Z TO 081101Z, 090958Z TO 091053Z 100951Z TO 101046Z, 110943Z TO 111038Z 120936Z TO 121031Z, 130928Z TO 131023Z 140921Z TO 141016Z, 150913Z TO 151008Z AND 160905Z TO 161001Z OCT IN AREA BOUND BY 38-18.00S 018-00.00E, 38-00.00S 027-00.00E, 49-02.00S 025-15.00E, 60-00.00S 022-30.00E, 59-00.00S 010-00.00E, 48-44.00S 014-50.00E. 2. CANCEL HYDROLANT 1935/26. 3. CANCEL THIS MSG 151108Z OCT 26.

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